Environment Policy and Participation in the Tocantins River Basin, Brazil

Abstract

A water generated energy is - in the context of care of the environment - an overwhelming international challenge. As far as spring water and water reservoirs are concerned - as in the savannah biome (Cerrado) area of the Tocantins river - care of the environment requires as well technological manage-ment as sustained management including participation of local population. The River Basin Management of Tocantins – RBM-TO, has developed institutional procedures in handling the technological manage-ment, there is a need to improve the participation of local population in a sustained management process concerning decision making in questions of care of the environment. Water utilization in that savannah area has often been a controversial issue; the fact is that conflicts are caused by a permanent change of climate in that area comprising aridity and inundations. Issues such as generation of energy, water sup-ply and its utilization, and care of the environment have great influence over the quality of life of the lo-cal population. The balance and reduction of the environmental impacts, the participation of the local persons concerned must be ensured; surveys and analysis's referring to integrated socio-ecological as-pects in support of managing and planning of areas in the region.