The extractivism of the buriti palm in its area of occurrence in the state of Maranhão is an important source of income for the local people. Several parts of a buriti tree are used for different purposes and are a source of significant income. However, despite its importance in the region's economy, the Buriti trees have been rapidly decreasing. Problems related to the intense pressure in collecting the burity leaves, substituting the river banks, siltation of the headwaters, fires and other unsustainable practices greatly contribute to the decline of the burity populations in the region of Barreirinhas. It is urgent to carry out studies and implement projects in order to broaden the socio-environmental issues of the handcraft activities using burity leaves, for their long-term sustainability.