Beginning at the point where the road from Goiania to Goias Velho crosses the Serra Dourado until you reach the Rio dos Indios is a 16.8 hectare APA (Portuguese initials for Environment Protection Area, one of the country´s units of conservation). It´s under the responsibility of the State Environment Agency of Goias. It was enlarged in 2000 to protect the region around the old capital, which was first occupied by pioneers and now is recognized by United Nations as a Cultural Heritage Site.