Environmental conservation in the gypsum polo of Araripe: economic and legal relations

Abstract

The state of Pernambuco is responsible for almost all plaster production in Brazil, which is concentrated in the region of Araripe, where there are gypsum mines with high purity and ease of exploration. The Gypsum Polo of Araripe represents an important resource for the region in which it is inserted. However, some factors call into question the continuity and development of this sector, with emphasis on the energy matrix, notably based on the use of firewood. In this context, the present article analyzes the relationship between the economic cycles and the state of the art of the activity, the legislation as a regulatory parameter, and the relation of these with the conservation of the Caatinga biome. It´s observed that the activity has always been dependent on the use of wood resources in its productive chain, a factor that has led to severe degradation of this biome in the region, and due to high demand for firewood, expands this problem to other Northeast states. Although there´s a wide range of environmental legislation, it isn´t widely followed and is still poorly scrutinized. This situation brings instability in this productive follow-up, which can lead to a gradual loss of competitiveness.