Geoparque Aspirante Seridó/RN e o processo de desenvolvimento local

Abstract

The objective of the study is to evaluate the repercussions of Seridó Aspiring Geopark (GAS) in the local development of Seridó Oriental potiguar. The specific objectives are: a) to describe activities carried out by GAS related to the local tourist trade; b) describe the performance of GAS related to the educational sector in the territory and; c) describe the conservation actions in the GAS geosites. The study is characterized as descriptive, with a qualitative approach and the research strategy used concerns the case study. For data collection, the methodology developed by Carvalho (2013) is based on the three pillars of a geopark (conservation, education and geotourism). The author used the methodology to evaluate 10 years (2000-2010) of activities in the geological heritage and in the local community of the Lesvos Petrified Forest Geopark (Greece) and in this work, the contribution of GAS to the local development of its territory will be qualitatively evaluated based on these three indicators. As instruments for data collection, documentary research and interviews are used. Thus, several local actors were interviewed who carry out activities related to the geopark aspirant's territory. In the results, in the field of conservation of geosites, some actions were identified in order to protect the geological heritage, such as, for example, municipal laws, wooden walkways for the protection of rock paintings in archaeological sites, environmental education signage and maintenance of structures in some geosites, and event with the theme of conservation of the environment. Regarding the activities carried out by GAS in the educational sector, there are several actions, such as: educational projects, informational lives, lectures, academic events, GAS cordel, mini-courses, public hearings, local and regional fairs, extension project and academic research. In geotourism, GAS 'partnership with various actors and local tourism companies such as travel and tourism agencies, entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry, artisans, guides and local tourism conductors and means of accommodation. Some of these already existed and became partners of GAS and others were created with the incentive of the aspiring geopark. In this sense, GAS contributes to the territory of Seridó Oriental potiguar through conservation, education and geotourism by carrying out the activities emphasized in this work, thus, these three pillars are aligned with the concept of local development of Villacorta (1997) and Buarque (2002). So GAS in its 10 years of creation and development collaborates for the local development of the population of Seridó in aspects, mainly, environmental, social and economic through its activities with the actors and local tourist companies.