Fernandes-Pinto, E. Cordeiro, A. Z. & Barbosa, S..; 2007. Brazils Extractive Reserves current situation and prospects.

Trabalho
apresentado na XV International Conference of the Society for Human Ecology. Rio de Janeiro/RJ, 04 a 07 de outubro de 2007.

BRAZILS EXTRACTIVE RESERVES CURRENT SITUATION AND PROSPECTS

FERNANDES-PINTO, .1; CORDEIRO, A. Z.2 & BARBOSA, S.3

IBAMA BRAZILIAN INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES

DISAM DIRECTORATE FOR SOCIOENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT
GENERAL COORDINATING BUREAU FOR THE CREATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF
EXTRACTIVE RESERVES
1

erikalencois@yahoo.com.br; 2 azcordeiro@yahoo.com.br; 3 msandrabs@yahoo.com.br

Brazils Extractive Reserves (RESEX) are a model of protected area exclusive to this country, which
were created in response to the social movements of extractivists in the Amazon rain forest mainly
rubber tappers in the 1970s and 80s claiming land rights and a model of development compatible
with the conservation and sustainable use of the forests. RESEXes are dominions of the federal
government created upon the request of traditional populations for their use. The purpose of these
domains is to protect the livelihood and culture of extractivists, as well as to ensure the sustainable use
of the areas natural resources. The first RESEXes were established in 1992; since then, the model has
been extended from the Amazon rain forest to other ecosystems. This paper analyzes the current
situation of the creation and administration of Federal RESEXes, gauging their contribution to the
recognition and valuation of the countrys traditional populations and to the solution of
socioenvironmental conflicts. By July 2007, the number of officially created Federal RESEXes had
risen to 51, distributed among 13 Brazilian states and encompassing 10 million hectares, directly
benefiting more than 45 thousand families. The singularities of this category required the
implementation of administrative tools based on the reinforcement of community organization and on
the recognition of traditionally managed practices and knowledge. The strengthening of this category,
the recognizance of traditional populations and their substantial role in environmental conservation,
and escalating socioenvironmental conflicts in the country have led to a rising demand for the creation
of RESEXes all over the country. There are currently 120 RESEX processes under study. In a context
which recent research has found to involve a contingent of more than 45 million people classified as
traditional individuals or communities, the RESEX has gained validity and significance as an
alternative model of development compatible with Brazils socioenvironmental reality.