ABSTRACT
The establishment of conservation units is one of the most important forms of governmental intervention attempting to decrease the biodiversity loss and to protect the environment. However, their implementation and management face several conflicts related to different interests and needs on the dynamics of production, appropriation and distribution of the environmental resources. Among the several norms and directions formalized in the National System of Conservation Units (SNUC, from Portuguese), social participation is highlighted as a premise for the environmental management. This study investigated the establishment and management of conservation units, particularly the national parks, and the socio-cultural aspects that influence and are influenced by these processes. The analysis was based on a methodological approach of a qualitative research case study and it was divided in three phases: visiting the “Restinga de Jurubatiba” National Park and interviewing the manager of CU; conducting semi-structured interviews with Civil Society Organizations located in the area of the park; and searching the literature on the creation process of “Restinga de Jurubatiba” National Park. In examining the case, the materiality of an environmental conflict was observed - defined here as those situations where there is conflict of interests represented by different social actors around the creation of the national park: for the preservationists, to ensure the biodiversity conservation, and for the fishermen, the prohibition of a practice they are economically dependent on and it is rooted in their culture. It was concluded that the participation of society in the creation and management of protected areas is a key element for sustainability.
Keywords:
participative management; conservation; protected areas.