Les « gardiens de la forêt » : l'extractivisme de ressources naturelles et la dépendance des politiques publiques en Amazonie brésilienne

Traditional populations in Brazilian Amazon rain-forest have been exposed to a historic social exclusion as a result of the underestimation of their production system: the extractivism of tropical forest products. Nevertheless, nowadays the identity of these populations is being appreciated as a consequence of sustainable development projects implemented, which give them the role of “rain-forest guardians” thanks to their traditional knowledge. In spite of this recognition, this fact brings economic difficulties for local populations who have heavy reliance on social protection programmes. Our case study is set in a community of the Marajó Island where institutional interventions -through public policies- and the intensification of açaí palm fruit (Euterpe oleracea) exploitation result in significant changes in the way of life of Amazon traditional populations. These changes also have a large impact on the social mobilisation of local communities