Luta e memória: defesa do território de uso comum na luta pela criação da reserva extrativista Baixo Rio Branco Jauaperi 2001-2018

Abstract

This research investigates the struggle process of riverside communities located on the Jauaperi River, located north of the Waimiri-Atroari area, which demarcates the border between Amazonas and Roraima. The investigation was based on varied documentary sources, such as reports from Parliamentary Commissions of Inquiry (CPIs), correspondence and documents from the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), the body responsible for creating the Extractive Reserve (RESEX). Additionally, statements were collected from residents and former directors of the Associação Amazônia, an entity that provided advice and defense to local communities. The process of fighting for land began in the mid-90s, when local communities requested help to protect their territory. The idea of transforming the area into an extractive reserve (RESEX) arose from the need to preserve the territory and traditional practices of the communities. However, there was significant resistance from Roraima's elites, who vehemently opposed the creation of the conservation unit. This resistance manifested itself through political and legal actions, including the issuance of occupation licenses and land titles over the area claimed by the communities. This study addresses the struggle of riverside communities on the Jauaperi River for a protected area, investigating the resistance faced and the process of demarcating the reserve. The research is based on the theories of José de Souza Martins and Pierre Bourdieu on power and identity, exploring how the construction of an identity based on the specificities of these groups is crucial to understanding struggle and resistance. The story told through the residents' testimonies is essential to understand the struggle processes and the importance of protecting the territory and traditional practices. This work not only documents the resistance and resilience of riverside communities, but also emphasizes the relevance of memory and identity in the defense of common use territory.