Conservação ambiental e conflito social na Amazônia

Abstract

This article summarizes results of research carried out with the traditional riverside communities in the municipality of Oriximina, in the western section of the state of Para. We aim to understand the relationship between traditional populations and environmental agencies in environmental conservation units located in non-specially protected areas protected in the Amazon. We develop research in quilombola communities that occupy forest areas on the Trombetas River, located in protected areas of the Federal Government (Trombetas River Biological Reserve and National Saraca-Taquera Forest) and lowland communities located on the river Nhamunda, which are not specially protected areas. The former endure constant conflicts with environmental agencies, while the latter has developed an important process of collective organization and cooperation with governmental agencies for joint inspection of its resource units. We discuss how the conceptualization of protection units can foster conflict and accentuate vulnerability to typical forms of social reproduction amongst traditional populations of the Brazilian Amazon.