The land is owned by the state, but the reserve has a population of about 1,300 people engaged in sustainable agriculture, extraction and fishing.

[3] The reserve was proposed in 1996 after several studies by environmental bodies and NGOs, and in response to the demands of the local inhabitants who saw value in protecting the environment, regularising use of land and river resources, and helping community organisation, health and education.

The basic objective was to preserve nature and at the same time ensure the conditions and means needed to sustain and improve the livelihood and quality of life of the traditional populations exploiting the natural resources, while preserving and improving knowledge and techniques developed by those populations for managing the environment.

[7] On 16 August 2006 the Instituto Nacional de Colonização e Reforma Agrária (National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform – INCRA) recognised the reserve as supporting 250 families of small rural producers who could participate in PRONAF.

The Uatumã River's flow is regulated by the Balbina Dam, built in 1987, which is just 45 kilometres (28 mi) in a direct line from the reserve, and this reduces flooding to some extent.

[3] Common plants that may have economic potential include bacaba, pintadinha, bromélias, sucupira, jauari, maçaramduba and breu.

The campinas (meadows) have significant potential for tourism due to their scenic beauty and large amounts of bromeliads and orchids.

[3] Research on fauna during preparation of the management plan identified 26 species of mammals including the threatened ocelot, jaguar and giant anteater.

Maracarana Lake has the highest number of turtles and has been protected by residents in partnership with Eletrobras – Manaus Energia since 1985.

[3] Most of the communities are small farmers growing cassava, banana, watermelon, corn and beans for sale and for personal consumption.

There is some illegal logging, but the communities are motivated to prevent it due to the low price fetched for timber without a certificate of legal origin.