Local arrangements for community-based leisure: Coastal Regions of Rio de Janeiro and Paraná as living labs

Abstract

The reading of nature that underlies the elaboration and implementation of public policies in Latin America reflects, to a large extent, the Western world view of the split between humans and non-humans, resulting from a long process of colonization that, historically, has been regulating practices of biodiversity conservation, including in Brazil. In this context, in order to think about inclusive, democratic and collaborative paths for the conservation of biodiversity and the cultural values ​​associated with it, this article aims to analyze the potential and obstacles to building partnerships between public management and communities’ locations in protected areas, in order to strengthen Community-Based Leisure (LBC), in the Tourist Regions of Costa do Sol (RJ) and Litoral do Paraná (PR). The qualitative research was based on a bibliographical and documentary survey and direct observation in the regions studied between 2019 and 2022, complemented by informal conversations with community leaders and regional public management actors, recorded in a field notebook. The analysis of the results obtained was carried out through the construction of a synthesis matrix on the arrangements associated with community leisure initiatives in these regions. The immersion in the material obtained allowed us to identify that the main local arrangements for the LBC are directed to visiting the natural and cultural heritage; the organization of cultural and sacred festivities; gastronomic production and handicrafts; and the promotion of sports and adventure activities. The challenges for incorporating these actions into the management of the protected areas involve the decoding of different worldviews and the meanings of nature and culture, in addition to the need to recognize the historical processes of community organization in the regions studied. The potential involves the construction of local partnerships linked to the strengthening of ties between the different social actors and the recognition of existing initiatives in the territory, without silencing social conflicts, power disputes, and local ways of organizing work and time.