IMPORTANT NOTICE: Drone Operations Prohibited in Sete Cidades National Park

AUTHORIZATION STATUS: CRITICAL PERMIT REQUIRED (RECREATIONAL FLIGHTS 100% BANNED)

• Recreational / Amateur Flights: Completely forbidden. There are no instant or paid tourist permits available anywhere within the park boundaries.
• Commercial, Media, or Research Flights: Allowed ONLY under exceptional circumstances. Requires a mandatory, minimum 45-day technical and archaeological review, environmental licensing from ICMBio, and cultural clearance from IPHAN.

Operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV/drone) inside this federal conservation unit without prior official clearance is illegal due to strict environmental protection laws, civil aviation codes, and the preservation of irreplaceable archaeological heritage.

🗺️ Geographic Map Boundaries (Where it is prohibited)

The flight ban applies to the entire official polygon of 6,221 hectares (62.2 km²) of the National Park, located in the northern part of the state of Piauí, within the municipalities of Piracuruca and Brasileira.

• Rock Formations Sectors: Covers all seven geological "cities" (structural rock complexes), including the iconic Three Heads, the Map of Brazil, and the Library rock formations.
• Archaeological Sites: Absolute no-fly zones around all stone walls containing prehistoric cave paintings (pinturas rupestres), where physical drone impacts pose a catastrophic threat.
• Natural Springs and Trails Corridor: Includes the Olho d'Água dos Milagres and the pedestrian walking trails used by ecotourists.

📜 Key Regulations and Specific Legal Articles

• ICMBio Normative Instruction No. 61/2020: Federal administrative ordinance governing all Conservation Units in Brazil, completely banning recreational remote-controlled aviation inside National Parks.
• IPHAN Heritage Protection Regulations: Sete Cidades protects crucial archaeological records. Under federal law, unauthorized aerial activities that endanger national archaeological monuments are strictly forbidden to prevent irreversible physical degradation from accidental drone crashes.
• Federal Law No. 9,605/1998 (Environmental Crimes Act - Art. 29, 40 & 62): Penalizes any action that damages cultural or natural heritage. High-frequency drone noise also disturbs local Caatinga fauna, such as the Jaguarundi, iguanas, and nesting birds of prey that utilize the rocky crevices.

⚖️ Penalties for Violations

Failure to comply with these federal regulations will result in immediate legal actions:

1. Immediate Equipment Seizure: Physical confiscation of the drone, remote controller, and all storage media by Park Rangers or Environmental Authorities.
2. Administrative Financial Sanctions: Severe environmental and heritage fines applied by ICMBio and IPHAN starting at R$ 5,000.00.
3. Criminal Penalties: Detention and criminal prosecution under the Brazilian Penal Code for endangering public safety and committing crimes against national archaeological heritage.

🎥 Official Media and Research Licensing (How to request)

For institutional, scientific, or licensed commercial cinematography:

• Permits must be requested at least 45 business days in advance through the official ICMBio SISBIO System and approved by IPHAN.
• Pilots must obtain specific airspace clearance via the DECEA SARPAS system, matching the precise coordinates of the intended geological sector.

Thank you for protecting our prehistoric heritage, respecting Caatinga wildlife, and helping preserve the natural integrity of Sete Cidades National Park.