ISMAEL, L. L.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/6306718104224910; ISMAEL, Luara Lourenço.
Abstract:
The study of water conflicts occupies a prominent position in the face of environmental
problems, given the importance of water for the promotion of social, economic and
environmental benefits necessary for the maintenance of life on earth. In this sense, conflict
analysis is a fundamental step for a good understanding of the real problems, being the basis
for the formulation of possible resolution alternatives. In this perspective, this thesis aims to
analyze the water conflicts in the rural productive villages of the north axis of the São
Francisco River Integration in São José de Piranhas and Cajazeiras in the upper backwoods
of Paraíba from the resettlement of families expropriated by the works. As for the
methodological procedures, the research is classified as exploratory and explanatory, which
adopted the case study as a scientific investigation method. Data were collected through the
following techniques: semi-structured interviews, form and questionnaire, both applied to
members representing the boards of village associations, public authorities and organized civil
society. Documentary analysis was also used, which sought to investigate documents obtained
from secondary sources, extracted from electronic addresses and official government
agencies. Such techniques helped in the application of conflict analysis tools: Map of
Interactions and Relationships of the Actors Involved, Conflict Progression, Conflict Wheel
and Causal Chain Analysis, which aim to provide multidisciplinary information and a
comprehensive context of the cause and effect relationships of conflicts, in addition to
identifying the groups of social actors involved, their interrelationships, interests and their
influences on the decision-making process. The results indicate that families after resettlement
in the villages, were exposed to water conflicts caused by environmental, social, economic
and political factors, related to quantitative and qualitative scarcity, uses and costs of water,
delay in the arrival of water from the São Francisco River and in the delivery of irrigated
plots, inefficient management and reduced social participation in the sharing of actions and
decision-making. Such impasses have contributed to situations of socioeconomic and
environmental vulnerabilities in the lives of resettled families who were surprised, as they did
not expect to live with these problems, since the main objective of the project is to guarantee
water security to the population of the northeaster semi-arid region. It was found that the
conflicts were triggered, mainly, by inefficiencies in the water management and governance
system, which contributed to the delays in the completion of the works and other negative
impacts associated with the project. With this, it is suggested to strengthen shared
management and social participation among the social actors involved. The conflict analysis
tools adopted in this study, when interpreted together, proved to be efficient in identifying the
context of conflicting relationships because they have similar objectives and address systemic
dimensions in the analysis of the problem. In the meantime, despite the existence of water
conflicts, if the proposed resolution alternatives and evaluation criteria are met, it is possible
that the project goals and principles will be achieved equity in the right to access to water,
economic efficiency and environmental sustainability.
