This paper provides a historical review of the economic importance of babassu coconut for the region of Maranhão, the reasons for its decline and current conflicts arising from their extraction and processing. Investigates the formation of the coconut breakers as a social group and association embraced by today's subsistence way of life and social reproduction. Analyzes the continued economic importance of babassu coconut and the necessity for laws to protect extraction activity, as well as enjoy the local vocation for economic activity including rural workers. Inspect jurisdiction to issue these laws and aspects that should be regulated.
Environmental Law; Traditional Knowledge; Babassu Coconut Breakers