Social participation in the Management Council of the Serra da Bocaina National Park (RJ/SP) by the local perspective

Abstract

Since the 1988 Federal Constitution, the discourse on social participation has been gradually incorporated into the official narratives of public management and, with this direction, formal spaces have been established, as is the case of councils of conservation units. Focusing on National Parks, the article aims to preliminarily analyse how the participatory process in the management of the Serra da Bocaina National Park is effective and what is the meaning attributed to participation within the scope of the advisory council of this protected area. The research had a qualitative approach, involving: bibliographical and documentary research, complemented by direct observation at the management council meetings and by carrying out a workshop with local actors. The survey results indicate that communication channels are the main means of facilitating participation in management. However, it is still necessary to improve these channels so that an effective and systematic dialogue between the Park's management and the actors involved is possible and so that progress can be made towards a qualified process of social participation. Furthermore, the main strategy identified to stimulate the participatory process was the presentation of tangible examples of Park management initiatives with the inclusion of local populations in the decision-making process, aiming at co-management with local populations and also through partnerships between public power and civil society. This is because, within the scope of the advisory council, participation means, above all, being present and being patient to dialogue and contribute with proposals in the management process.