Participatory Management in the Lago Piratuba Biological Reserve (Amapá)

Abstract

The problems of the management of federal conservation units are discussed, with an emphasis on participatory management. Experiences of participatory management of Brazilian conservation units are described and analyzed. The text then focuses on the results of field research conducted in the Lago Piratuba Biological Preserve (state of Amapá, Brazil). Detailed information about the natural resources, the social conditions and the land tenure situation of the unit and its environs is presented and discussed. The text also examines the results of several workshops conducted with local communities, assessing their current situation and relationship with the reserve, besides yielding a list of the major problems that affect the integrity of the unit. The recent implementation of a participatory management scheme of the preserve is evaluated. The major finding is that participatory management is viable and necessary and must be adopted at the early states of unit management, in order to contribute to an adequate relation between local communities and conservation units, reduce human-induced pressures and suggest alternative productive activities that may gradually substitute the current ones. Key words: Environmental Management. Conservation Units. Environmental Policy. Amazon Region. Participation. Biodiversity.