Fourteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

Macaé is known as the Brazilian oil capital, which has a high rate of deforestation in the Atlantic Forest, a biome that is one of the hotspots in Brazil (PROBIO, 2007). It was strongly impacted by the petroleum industry that generated disorganized population growth, bringing socioeconomic, environmental, and demographic impacts to the region (IBGE, 2011). Protected Areas (PA) are considered in situ strategies (SELLARS, 1997) that contribute to the conservation of species, protect genetic resources, and scenic beauty and are areas of scientific research, recreation, and ecotourism (BENSUSAN, 2006). However, in Macaé, residents living around PAs generally do not participate in their management and do not have the right to decide on the use of the environment in which they live (LEAL, 2013). They are social groups with different forms of territorial appropriation, in this sense, it is observed that CUs are disputed territories. The present work is a preliminary result of my PhD research, in the interdisciplinary program of environmental sciences and conservation, of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. It covers three municipal PAs, using ethnographic research and interviews with members of the Environment Council, responsible for PA administration. The research consists of a literature review and the characterization of the mentioned area, in order to construct theoretical-empirical references. I try to understand whether the council is effective and whether the interests of the local people are represented in this democratic space.