Reflexões sobre a gestão participativa na reserva de desenvolvimento sustentável Alcobaça Tucuruí-PA

Abstract

The aim of this research is to promote reflections on participatory management in the Alcobaça Sustainable Development Reserve (RDS Alcobaça), a Conservation Unit (CU) in the sustainable use group, located in the municipalities of Tucuruí and Novo Repartimento, in the state of Pará. This is a highly relevant topic, as including communities in the decision-making process increases the possibility of success in fulfilling the fundamental objective of an RDS, which is to protect the livelihoods and culture of social groups, guaranteeing the sustainable use of natural resources. This research was based on a literature review focusing on participatory management, the theoretical and legal aspects of protected areas, especially RDSs, their governance structures and community participation. Data was collected as follows: semi structured interviews with managers, RDS residents and council representatives; technical visits to the communities; analysis of official documents such as laws, decrees, meeting minutes and the executive report of the Management Plan; and cartographic production. It became clear that the creation of a Conservation Unit, in this case the Alcobaça RDS, with all the legal apparatus and its management structure, does not guarantee the effectiveness of the participatory nature of the management process and that the major challenge to be faced in this process is the difficulty of obtaining the consistent involvement of the social actors in the stages ranging from the conception of ideas, planning and execution, to the monitoring and evaluation of the results. As a result, a booklet was produced, with content presented in a playful way, aimed at the residents of the RDS, with the aim of arousing their interest in participating actively in all stages of the process.