Socio-environmental conflicts and governance perspectives in Conservation Units: the case of Amapá State Forest, Amazon, Brazil

Abstract

The paper analyses the emergence of socio-environmental conflicts in Conservation Units (UC) management and the perspectives for overcoming them by the construction of a governance structure. Particularly, it analyses the socio-environmental conflicts that has emerged from human occupation and/or by productive activities within the territory and surroundings areas of Amapá State Forest (FLOTA/AP), a Sustainable Use Conservation Unit that covers around 2.3 million of hectares involving part of 10 municipalities in Amapá State. The paper points out existing and/or possible governance mechanisms to improve effectiveness of natural resources preservation and conservation in the Conservation Unit. Methodologically, the study is based on documentary analysis and lawful instrument; however, it carries out some analysis based on participant observation once one of the paper’s authors acquaintanceship throughout the Conservation Unit implementation. The article rebuild and analyses the UC’s process of creation, management and implementation, as well as it identifies the social actors involved with the Unit, maps out and characterises the socio-environmental conflicts existing in the area and brings up to debate the dynamics of the existing UC’s governance processes. The work shows the importance of the UC’s management tools; however, it particularly stresses the significance of building new democratic spaces and also the establishing of partnerships between the social actors involved with the FLOTA.