Traditional Territory in a Protected Area: Territorial Dynamics and Wildlife Management in the Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve, Amazonas, Brazil

Abstract

Implementing sustainable management strategies for common-use resources influences traditional peoples’ and communities’ territorialization processes. This article aims to provide historical context on the use of natural resources in the Amanã Lake region, Maraã, Amazonas, Brazil. It also seeks to describe the territorial boundaries and hunting areas of one riverine community, presenting a proposal for establishing a sustainable management plan for subsistence hunting. Data covered a fifty-year period and were obtained through semi-structured interviews, systematic mapping of hunting locations, and participatory mapping of natural resource use in the region. The proposed take and no-take zones for wildlife management were based on previously established models in the region and on discussions with the villagers. Over the studied period, two territorial perspectives were identified, and their co-occurrence has had significant impacts on the territoriality of the community. The hunting area used by villagers decreased as its designated use area did, but at a different pace. This shift led to overlaps and conflicts over resource use. The proposed spatial wildlife management plan (area of 22,216.22 ha) was considered appropriate by the villagers, but there is still a need to develop this strategy based on local territorialities.

Keywords:
Subsistence hunting; Territoriality; Traditional Community; Amazon