AnÃlise do potencial ecoturÃstico para a pbservaÃÃo de aves (Birdwatching) na Ilha de ItamaracÃ/PE: o uso da atividade para o desenvolvimento local

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2004

RESUMO

The birdwatching is one of the most traditional nature-related activities, mainly in England and in the United States of America, and is defined as the collection of bird records in the natural environment, using binoculars as the main instrument. This activity is evolving into a type of specialized trip, joining a diversified list of ecotouristic activities. Approximately 9,700 bird species exist in the world, and South America stands out with the greatest bird diversity, holding 3.200 species. Brazil holds 1,677 species, occupying the third place in bird diversity in the world. In the State of Pernambuco, 499 bird species have been recorded, which represents 29.6% of the total in Brazil. Despites the great number of preserved natural environments and the enormous biological diversity in Brazil, which can attract a lot of birdwatchers, the activity is not well spread in the country. The present study focus on the Itamaraca Island, in Pernambuco, Brazil, located 50km far from the State Capital, Recife. The island was chosen because of its touristic aptitude and its natural richness. Based on the idea that the natural attributes must be identified prior to the planning of ecotouristic activities, this work aimed to answer the following question: as Itamaracà holds a rich diversity of landscapes and ecosystems, as well as biological diversity, can the activity of birdwatching be used as an ecotouristic product and instrument for the local development? Our objectives were: to analyze the ecotouristic potential of birdwatching on the Island of ItamaracÃ; to assess the existent bird diversity in the various environments on the island and detect possible threats, focusing mainly on the Protected Areas; to collect information which indicate the actual level of tourism sustainability; to establish targets for the development of the birdwatching activity in ItamaracÃ; and to analyze the possibilities for implementation of the birdwatching activity as an instrument for the local sustainable development. For the inventory of bird species, two methods were used: bibliographic survey and field observations. The indicators suggested by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) were used for the measurement of the level of touristic sustainability. In order to collect the information to subsidize the touristic sustainability indicators, qualitative research techniques were applied such as literature survey and analyses of documents in various institutions as well as field work. After data gathering and analysis, targets were defined for the implementation of the birdwatching activity. We registered 184 bird species in ItamaracÃ, including four species under risk of extinction and 23 migratory. Many threats to the survivor of birds were identified, such as habitat loss and the indiscriminate use of the beaches for nautical sports. Most of the touristic sustainability indicators showed to be positive, presenting a scenario in which a few points should be improved with multidisciplinary planning strategies. However, four issues and their indicators pointed toward environmental impacts that conflict with the intended development of the ecotouristic birdwatching activity: the lack of implementation of the existing protected areas, lack of security, the indiscriminate use of the beaches and the inefficiency of waste disposal, including collecting and destination of solid waste. Regarding the birdwatching as an instrument for the local development, it was found that there is economic efficiency, a lot of efforts toward the conservation of nature and ethic in the places where they occur. The implementation of the birdwatching as an ecotouristic activity can bring benefits to the local communities in ItamaracÃ, such as the participation in decision processes, access to protected areas, professional training, priority in touristic businesses, priority in permissions related to touristic issues and enhanced nature knowledge. Based on the results, 14 targets were formulated in order to support the initial implementation of the birdwatching activity. The existence of attractives such as beaches, forests and historical sites do not ensure the touristic efficiency in ItamaracÃ. The involvement of local community and public sector is needed to assure that touristic activities will be planned bringing elements for a greater life quality. Touristic activities nowadays seem to put a lot of pressure on the local public administration and do not bring the expected economic development. The Island of Itamaracà is a potential place for the implementation of the birdwatching activity, which can play an important role on the economic development of the municipality if guided by the principals of the sustainable development, producing economic efficiency, conserving nature and promoting ethics, helping to minimize poverty through the creation of job opportunities, income, participation and intellectual development

ASSUNTO(S)

ecoturismo ambientes naturais-brasil observaÃÃo de aves-evoluÃÃo sustentabilidade tirÃstica-indicadores birdwatching ecoturismo-ilha de itamaracÃ(pe) adequacao ambiental

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