Populações tradicionais e conservação ambiental: uma contribuição da teoria social

Abstract

The objective of this article is to analyze the theoretical foundations that define a social group as “ traditional ” and the implications of this concept, which frequently provides decision-making orientation with regard to the management of conservation units - such as whether communities should remain in areas with a marked ecological interest - for environmental conservation and agroecology. Based on the bibliographic review, it was observed that traditional people, which maintain a strong correlation with the concept of "peasant", have been defined by their insertion into the surrounding environment, their use of techniques with low environmental impact, and their respect for natural cycles. It is pointed out that for a community to be considered traditional, it does not need to have static, unchangeable behavior patterns, but must be capable of reinterpreting traditional behaviors in order to maintain social reproduction. It is concluded that if the traditional way of life is to be used as a conservation strategy, it becomes necessary to provide a democratic groundwork that will allow a sustained balance with the natural environment to be maintained.