A estrada para o “progresso”: política, cultura e natureza em Bragança, Pará (1970-1996)

Abstract

This paper studies the construction of Bragança-Ajuruteua road, PA-458, Para, Brazil, in the period of 1970-1996. The highway, which covered 26 km of mangrove, caused changes to the environment and consequently the lives of several individuals who live from the natural resources of this ecosystem. The study aims to understand the permanence and the changes caused by the highway in the relationship man / nature, and the many interpretations of the men on this space, through the analysis of political speeches, news reports, photographs, local literature, ethnography, and oral reports of the people who works with crabs, these people are deeply involved with the mangrove. From this, it was found that the development thought by the political authorities and the local elite, with the tourist operation of Ajuruteua Beach, was designed with a nature vision separated from culture, a utilitarian and contemplative nature that neglected local communities and the preservation conditions of the ecosystem. However, even before that, people whose lives were impacted by the project, "created" strategies to adapt to new realities, and they used the road in favor of their daily life.