the reserve was created, as an area of full environmental preservation, with the goal of restoring and preserving the natural balance, biological diversity and natural ecological processes of the region. this was done with the protection of the water resources in mind, whilst restricting visitation solely to scientific research and environmental education.

in addition to the categorization of the area as a biological reserve, unesco also declared the tinguá a world heritage site, as a biosphere reserve, in 1993. again, the driving force behind this categorization was the water supply of the reserve, which now supplies almost 80% of the baixada fluminense with clean water.

the reserve is mainly made up of rich mata atlântica (atlantic forest), with all of the unique characteristics, which it has become renowned for, and which houses some of the state's rare and endemic species of flora and fauna. included in these are some enchanting species of bromeliads, and the illusive puma.