A vulnerabilidade socioambiental do Parque Indígena do Xingu (PIX) : uma análise à luz da teoria da sociedade de riscos

Abstract

Considering the risks concerning the Xingu Indigenous Park (XIP) in the view of the territorial occupation policies and the industry related to agriculture and cattle breeding, the study aims to verify the pressure upon the indigenous territories of the Xingu region and its relationship with the socioenvironmental vulnerability of the peoples that inhabit the park. For this purpose, using the hypothetical-deductive method, the landscape of environmental risks affecting the indigenous people of the XIP will be examined based upon the understanding of the theory of the risk society, the applicable legislation and the extension of the environmental damages in the region. It was observed that, although the environmental risks arising from market activities can be attributed to all, the social and environmental effects for certain populations, such as the Indians who inhabit the PIX, are even more devastating, which allows the conclusion that the market dynamics and the economic power, characteristic of contemporary society, make the park residents more vulnerable as their ability to access and defend the environmental resources that are essential to their physical and spiritual survival diminish. Despite the legislation providing for the participation of indigenous peoples in the procedures related to environmental management policy through consultations, the social and political weakening of these populations makes these instruments insufficient to assure protection and access to environmental resources, which leads to the finding that regional social movements and NGO activities are important in mobilizing and raising awareness for the feasibility of environmental resource projects.