The title of World Natural Heritage and the biodiversity conservation: the case of the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park

Abstract

From the perspective of the international politics and the biodiversity conservation, this text addresses the role of the World Natural Heritage on the conservation of biodiversity. The main focus is the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park (PNCV), located in the Cerrado biome. First, we give a broad presentation on the subject. Then, we shown aspects related to PNCV's characteristics and phytophysiognomy and the history of creation of the Park, as well the changes in its area, from 1961 to 2017. Subsequently, we discuss the concepts and characteristics related to the World Natural Heritage, with the presentation of three cases, one in Australia and two in Brazil, with emphasis in the case of the PNCV. Finally, the conclusion was that these mechanisms are of important symbolism and act in a protective way against actions that can result in environmental degradation. This is reinforced by the official aspect determined by these designations that may incur in a high political cost if not followed. However, it has limited effectiveness and it is dependent on appropriate internalization by national policies and society, which both often challenge the very idea of environmental conservation.