Management of water resources in the Cantareira Water Producer System area: a look at the rural context

  • Rafael Eduardo Chiodi CENA-ESALQ/USP
  • Oscar Sarcinelle Universidade Estadual de Campinas/IE
  • Alexandre Uezu IPÊ - Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas
Keywords: Water resources, Cantareira system, rural development

Abstract

The National Water Resources Policy established the principles of participation, integration and decentralization, as well as new instruments for the management of water resources in Brazil. The implementation of this policy created several challenges, such as establishing effective management within the framework of rural territorial structure. The example of the Cantareira’s System in Piracicaba river watershed is conducive to the understanding of this challenge. In this scenario, we analyzed the effective implementation of principles, and of two instruments of water resource management from the perspective of farmers’ participation: the integration of water management and rural land use, and public policies for rural areas. To accomplish this, we reviewed documents and literature, and considered conclusions drawn from meetings at the Technical Chamber of Use and Water Conservation in Rural Areas (CT-Rural). We identified a lack of participation by farmers’ representatives in the CT-Rural Chamber and little concern to increase their participation in the management practices. However, the support payments for environmental services projects (PES) are stimulating farmers and calling attention to the Cantareira area, in addition to promoting the integration of water resource management and rural land use. However, even though this support acknowledges the importance of the farmers, we emphasize the low priority given by the Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí Watershed Committee to the rural context of the area studied.

Author Biographies

Rafael Eduardo Chiodi, CENA-ESALQ/USP
Engenheiro Florestal, mestre em Ciências Agrárias, doutorando em Ecologia Aplicada.
Oscar Sarcinelle, Universidade Estadual de Campinas/IE
Administrador, mestre em Desenvolvimento Econômico e Meio Ambiente, doutorando em Desenvolvimento Econômico e Meio Ambiente.
Alexandre Uezu, IPÊ - Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas
Professor da Escola Superior de Conservação Ambiental e Sustentabilidade. Biólogo, mestre em Ecologia, doutor em Ecologia.
Published
19/12/2013
Section
Papers