The Cantareira Environmentally Protected Area (EPA Cantareira) has been undergoing several transformations due to the growth of urban areas and tourism. The present piece of research points out that the active social groups in this region have different perspectives to the environment and development. This leads to conflicts in the use of natural resources and there are no regional plans suggesting effective solutions for the identified social and environmental problems.
Cantareira water system; Environmental protected area; Environmental perception; Urban expansion; Tourism; Social and environmental conflicts