Conservation and tourism in the Cazumbá-Iracema Extractive Reserve: challenges for the implementation of ecotourism

Abstract

Tourism is an economic activity for the country's development due to the natural and cultural potential of the entire national territory. In the Amazon region of Acre, for example, we have a wealth of culture (extractivists) and ecology (forest). Sustainable Use Conservation Units are a link between the conservation of local culture and the environment. Within this category of protected areas, we have Extractive Reserves (RESEX) as a model of territorial management created “by the hands” of extractivists from the state of Acre, Brazil. RESEX have diversified economic activities such as extractivism (plant, fishing, fauna), agriculture and the raising of small and medium-sized animals. However, the inclusion of other economic activities, such as ecological tourism, which have low environmental impact and economic value, is important. In this scenario, the objective of this paper is to discuss the challenges of implementing ecotourism in the Cazumbá-Iracema Extractive Reserve. To develop this paper, some methodological procedures were adopted: a) survey of bibliographic data (consultation on newspaper websites, periodicals, dissertations and theses); b) survey of cartographic data of the area (satellite images); c) field activities for in loco recognition of the area. The Cazumbá-Iracema RESEX is located in the municipalities of Sena Madureira (98% of the territory) and Manoel Urbano (2% of the Territory); it has approximately 750 thousand hectares of extension, a lush forest with just under 2% deforestation, and extractive communities with great cultural wealth. Among the challenges for implementing ecotourism, we can mention: a) precarious access; b) basic infrastructure; c) Training in the Tourism Sector; d) Lack of Economic Support; e) Promotion and Marketing;