O Programa Bolsa Floresta pela perspectiva da ecologia humana: gestão e estratégias de uso dos recursos naturais comuns em face do conhecimento ecológico local em 16 unidades de conservação de uso sustentável no estado do Amazonas

Abstract

This article aims to elucidate two hypotheses about management in the Amazon: a) involving local communities, their demands, and their ecological knowledge in co-management systems strengthens the positive results of conservation efforts, and b) the third sector, mediating the dialog between communities, companies and public agents who implement laws on the use of common goods, results in effective public policies for the quality of life of Amazonian populations. A total of 24 interviews were conducted with leaders and community members from 16 Conservation Units associated with the FAS Bolsa Floresta Program. Using a semi-structured questionnaire with 30 questions and a systemic approach (Haris, 1976; Posey, 1987), the perception of these actors on the actions of the FAS and the Bolsa Floresta Program was recorded, with a special focus on the PBF Income. The interviews followed the snowball method (Biernacki and Waldorf, 1981). The following general questions were addressed in the course of the research: Is the local ecological knowledge of community members being put into practice (traditional or recent) and added to other forms of knowledge in the activities of the PBF? How are aspects of income generation specific to the objectives of PBF Income, integrated with the quality of life of the communities evaluated? Are there other impacts of PBF Income on its components, such as community empowerment? The interviews analyzed showed that exchanging knowledge during workshops, training sessions, and biannual Leadership Meetings is essential for the positive development of the partnership between the FAS and the PAs and for the success of the production chains and local income generation. The bottom-up process that promotes the planning of local development projects is highly valued by community members and is fundamental to the success of the PBF. From the perspective of the community members, there is a clear need to achieve local development objectives in a sustainable way, either by managing the PBF's production chains or by better managing the mother associations and strengthening youth and women's groups. To this end, it became clear in the research that articulating a network of institutions to develop capacities and empower communities is fundamental to making effective public policies viable. The main results suggest the creation of several working groups (WG) to resolve certain local demands and conflicts: a) an integrated WG between the PBF and the Education and Health Program (PES); b) an integrated WG between Community-Based Tourism (CBT) and Sport Fishing; an integrated WG between the PBF and the PES (Education and Health Program) of the FAS; and a WG to review the Management Plans (PG) to manage the Common Natural Resources exploited. These actions, in the context of an ideal model of participatory management, require medium- to long-term strategic planning. The biggest problem is how to finance this, especially when international and private funding for NGOs has migrated to a short-term model, which contradicts the reality of the Amazon. Therefore, the effective articulation of different actors in the local development process promoted by the PBF reflects a successful model.