O papel da governança na Floresta Nacional do Carajás para o efetivo desempenho na conservação da cobertura florestal

Abstract

Protected areas serve as strategies for the preservation and maintenance of forest remnants and biodiversity within local biomes, as well as for the sustainable management equilibrium and mitigation of climate change impacts. Land use within these spaces can lead to the decline of forested areas, thereby jeopardizing the intended objectives for establishing such territories. Effective and equitable governance can help in the pursuit of sustainable development within these areas. In our study, we assessed the effects of governance on the management of Carajás National Forest in conserving forest cover in the region, comprehending how governance practices impact the performance of conservation actions. We utilized geoprocessed images from Mapbiomas land use datasets of Carajás National Forest from the years 1998, 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2022, as well as a qualitative analysis of minutes from advisory board meetings from 2018 to 2023. Our findings indicate that mining and pasture activities are increasing within the National Forest, alongside the loss of grassland formations and rocky outcrops. Despite the loss of grassland vegetation, remnants of forest types experienced minimal loss within these spaces. The minutes showed active participation in discussions regarding environmental conservation in the face of mining activities; however, actions concerning pasture activities were absent. Discussions also included proposals for new zoning for mineral extraction in other zones within the National Forest. Although deliberated upon, actions in response to proposed activities remain minimal, leading to the growth of mining and pasture within the area and consequently, vegetation loss. To achieve effective performance in forest cover conservation, it is essential to invest in continuous improvement of governance, promoting more integrated, transparent, and proactive environmental management, aiming at actions addressing all anthropogenic land use activities and fostering a more inclusive environmental education.