The objective of this work was to draw up the zoning of the district of Rancharia, municipality of Lima Duarte, MG, for ecotourism purposes, using THE ECOPLANET INSTITUTE methodology (1994). Zoning, which is part of the planning process, seeks to reduce soil use conflict through the recognition of recreation zones, maintenance of stable use of critical zones, development of traditional communities and cultural monuments that provide opportunities for education, research and monitoring of ecotourism projects. Among the main accomplished results there is the making of the semi-cadastral map for the community of Rancharia, being used as the basis for the whole regulation of the ecotourism activity, which is presently at the initial stage of development. The final zoning resulted in four appropriately characterized zones based on previously established criteria. THE ECOPLANET INSTITUTE methodology was proven suitable for planning of the area, with a high potential for the development of ecotourism activities considering the preservation conditions of the natural and cultural patrimonies.
Ecotourism; planning; units of conservation; zoning; management
