The area lies in the orogenic belt of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in the Mantiqueira geological province of the Brazilian platform.

Streams and rivers typically have rocky beds and slope steeply, running rapidly after rainfall.

The rivers originating in the protection area flow south into Guanabara Bay or north to the Paraíba do Sul.

The purpose is to ensure the preservation of the Atlantic Forest ecosystem and the sustainable use of natural resources while conserving the cultural landscape and improving the quality of human life in the region.

[4] Problems include the expansion of urban areas, which has led to poorly planned clearance of slopes causing the risk of landslides, deforestation, and inappropriate agricultural practices including cattle grazing and pasture burning that contribute to soil degradation.