ENVIRONMENTAL PERCEPTION ABOUT THE PATAXÓ RESERVOIR (IPANGUAÇU/RN)

Abstract

In the northeastern region of Brazil, specifically the semi-arid region, the policy of reservoir construction was implemented as a hydraulic solution, supplying water shortages caused by frequent droughts, a characteristic factor in this region. The first public reservoirs were built from 1890 in the state of Ceará. Between 1951 and 1954, the Pataxó reservoir was built by DNOCS to supply the population of the municipality of Ipanguaçu/RN, thus enabling the population growth and the appearance of the surrounding communities: Pataxó and São Miguel, where a research was carried out to analyze the relationship between the mentioned communities and the reservoir. As a methodological contribution, the Kozel methodology (2007) was used, which allows the presentation of forms of interpretation and decoding of maps. Community members drew up participatory mind maps. Residents' reports were collected to outline the socioeconomic profile, as well as the main uses of the reservoir water, intended for human supply for consumption and home use, animal drinking and irrigation. The main economic activities identified were agriculture and fishing. The results made it possible to understand the environmental perception of the residents, who showed affection and attachment towards the place of residence and the reservoir, in which they placed their hopes for survival and income generation.