Território Livre: o passado e o presente na construção socioambiental da Reserva Extrativista do Batoque, Aquiraz, Ceará

Abstract

The research is the result of the analysis built on experience-research process carried out with the community that resides in the Extractive Reserve of Batoque located in the municipality of Aquiraz, in the State of Ceara. The work is an ethnographic research that made use of a case study with a qualitative approach. The main objective was to analyze the historical construction and the current status of the community of Batoque in its cultural aspects and the use and management of natural resources by traditional fishermen and farmers in relation to their living territory. The specific objectives are defined in three points: (1)to describe the historically constructed social relations and cultural events that underlie the notion of community among members of the reserve; (2) to study how artisanal fishermen and small scale farmers are organized and handle and use local natural resources, and (3) to investigate the involvement of fishers and farmers of Batoque with the shared management system of the reserve. The textual production is based on the interpretation of the oral histories reported during the experience of living with the community. The text provides a historical approach, that addresses the specific context in which arose the community of Batoque and the ways in which the territory was continually reaffirmed, which culminated in the establishment of the Extractive Reserve of Batoque. The process of constitution of the conservation unit was marked by intense struggles against real estate speculation. The territoriality in the community functioned as a factor of identification, defense and strength, in the dispute over the planning process. The redemption of the memories of the past of Batoque demonstrates that throughout the formation process of the community the use of natural resources has been a central point. The extent of reserve covers coastal-marine ecosystems (lagoons, sand dunes, sea), estuaries and mangroves. The community is essentially formed by two groups of families: those who depend exclusively on the environment to carry out their agricultural and / or extractive production activities - approximately 175 families that practice family agriculture, artisanal fishing, livestock creation and craft-making - and those without agricultural or extractive activities, but other economic activities like small shop keeping, public transport and tourist-related activities - about 87 families. Fishing activities, extractive activities and animal production interconnect a diverse set of activities that are important as occupation of the territory and source of income. There is an average of 150 vacationers who own real estate on site (houses or land). People have shown a wealth of knowledge about the environmental changes that have occurred in the landscape of Batoque over the decades and about the management of natural resources in carrying out their productive activities. This knowledge was a key factor that led the daily learning, the choice of technologies used in productive activities and awareness to conserve and take care of it. The shared management process of the extractive reserve shows unstable relationships between social groups and the ICMBio governing body. Ensuring the balance between the diverse and conflicting interests is a challenge for territorial management.