O Comitê da Bacia do Rio Araguari (MG) e sua importância para tomada de consciência socioambiental

Abstract

The environmental debate, which is the focus of attention in various segments of current society, generates changes in human knowledge, and educational practices is the most important tool in this process for dealing with the relevant elements in this context. The divergences make the process even more complex, and in this respect two major strands that work on the educational aspect related to environmental issues can be highlighted: Conservation and Environmental Education. This dichotomy has sensitive consequences in the construction of knowledge and in the insertion of man in these contexts, defining as a guide for this essay the search for an understanding of the differences and objectives of said methodologies. The primary objective of this study is to point, through Environmental Management Education, the role of the Hydrographic Basin Committees, especially the Araguari River Basin Committee, in the construction of the socio-environmental identity of individuals, social groups and institutions that coexist and Activities through the shared management of water resources in the Araguari river basin, located in the State of Minas Gerais, in the “Triangulo Mineiro” and “Alto Paranaiba” region. In order to do so, we seek to study and discuss the bibliography related to three fundamental topics: Education focused on the environment (covering the differentiation between Conservationist Education and Environmental Education); Public Policies and; Democracy and Representativeness. This debate has the goal to elucidate the actions of the Araguari River Basin Committee as an agent promoting environmental education, evidencing its positioning before several issues pointed out throughout the dissertation. In summation, it was evident how public policies have potential to promote significant changes in the current social and environmental paradigm. In this context, local committees to manage drainage basins are skillful tools in the construction of a new relationship between representativeness, democracy, protection and environmental conservation of their corresponding territories, as proposed by Environmental Management Education. However, when analyzing specifically the Drainage Basin Committee of the Araguari River (MG), we observe that it needs a specific positioning on the environmental matter to be considered as an agent that promotes educational practices for the environment, especially if it intends to act in the Field of Education for Environmental Management and, consequently, Environmental Education.