one of rio de janeiros' newest natural park was opened on international environment day, june 5, 2013. the parque natural municipal paisagem carioca (carioca landscape natural park) has one of the largest areas of native vegetation in brazil. it is the 14th park created in the municipality of rio.

the park is located in leme, babilônia and são joão, all environmentally protected areas. it was created through an initiative of the neighbors of leme and the region's council of protected environmental areas. it is an important source of biodiversity for brazil. when the area was deemed 'protected' it overrode a project to expand the cable railway from pão de açúcar to the hills of babilônia and leme.