A note on traditional communities and conservation units

Abstract

The presentation of this volume has sufficiently addressed the content of the contributions to the seminar, which bring case studies of Quilombola Territories, Indigenous Lands and Extractive Reserves where conflicts, expulsion and resistance occur. Here we make some additional observations on these frequent situations in Parks, Ecological Stations and Reserves managed by federal and state agencies, starting by highlighting two situations. The first is the expulsion of traditional residents from their traditional territories converted into Conservation Units, which takes place through various means ranging from deprivation of livelihoods to violence and intimidation, often with the support of public prosecutors and environmental organizations. The second situation is less well known and concerns conflicts between the demands of residents in these areas, which are sometimes divided between those who identify themselves as "traditional communities" or "quilombolas", and those who claim "indigenous identities", with still those who prefer the condition of family farmers inserted in the policies aimed at them.