Assessment of cultural heritage and environmental characterization of the Anil Trail in Cristina (MG), Brazil

Abstract

Nature trails serve as tools for mediating between visitors and natural environments, promoting ecological awareness and fostering consciousness about ecosystem conservation. Among the trails in Southern Minas Gerais is the Anil Trail, located in the Anil Ecological Park, in Cristina (MG). There are no studies or scientific works on the trail, making its management and administration difficult and reducing its dissemination among the community. Therefore, the objective of this work was to characterize and classify the Anil Trail from an environmental and historical perspective, collecting data to support the improvement of its environmental and tourist management. To this end, data was collected to compile the local historical process, as well as environmental characterization through the preparation of thematic maps of location, vegetation, hypsometry, slope, soil classification, hydrography, and permanent preservation areas. The results showed that the trail is part of the redevelopment of a 19th-century railway heritage site, preserving historic structures such as the iron bridge and water tank that supported the boilers of the trains of that era. Its thematic maps and ABNT NBR ISO 15505-2 classification show that the Anil Trail is on flat, safe terrain, is well delimited and signposted, with good, firm flooring, requiring moderate physical effort to complete its 6.9 km length, from the entrance to the Anil waterfall. The case exemplifies the sustainable conversion of decommissioned infrastructure into ecological corridors and free public spaces of cultural memory.