Unidades de conservação e conflitos socioambientais: estudo de caso dos conflitos pelo acesso e uso dos recursos naturais na zona de amortecimento de impacto do Parque Nacional do Caparaó – ES

Abstract

Protected areas are one of the most common environmental policies around the world. Nevertheless, this model has been proposed based on a dichotomy between society and the environment. The definition of protected areas, particularly after the XIXth century, has resulted in various conflicts among agents with divergent understanding on nature and interests on natural resources. Moreover, such processes have also created situations of environmental injustice, since they prevent the access of specific social groups to resources that are crucial for their survival. Along these lines, this research aimed at analysing the relationship between protected areas, particularly Conservation Areas, socio-environmental conflicts and environmental injustices. Using the geographic category territory, and adopting critical perspectives such as Political Ecology, Environmental Justice and Ecosocialism, this case study evaluates the relationships between various actors around the Caparaó National Park, in Divino de São Lourenço municipality, Espírito Santo state. Using literature review, direct observation and interviews, the research evaluates the characteristics of the various socioenvironmental conflicts and environmental injustice situations that take place in that locality. During the research, it was possible to verify that socioenvironmental conflicts happen in various categories and intensity. Patrimônio da Penha is characterised by latent socioenvironmental conflicts, which are described as situations where disputes are masked by socio-political processes and not perceived by social agents. Additionally, it was noted that most of these conflicts have been directly influenced by the Caparaó National Park, as well as, diferent environmental injustice situations.