ABSTRACT
Located in southeastern Brazil, the basin of the Paraíba do Sul river has high importance to supply the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. Water resources of the basin, however, are threatened due to intense demographic expansion and diversified development that took place in the region. This work is based on the diagnosis of the strengths and weaknesses of the basin in question and proposes the elaboration of scenarios aimed at sustainable management of water resources and environmental conservation. Methodology Pressure-State-Response, developed by the OECD, which selects indicators, based on its reliability, measurability, utility users and policy relevance was used. Scenarios were developed to enable the understanding of the current dynamics in the Paraíba do Sul river basin, as well as outlining actions needed to ensure its sustainability in the future.
environmental management; sustainability; water resources