Mamirauá Institute for Sustainable Development

The term “traditional peoples” arose with the socio-environmental movement and expresses the diversity of land tenure and land occupation situations in Brazil. Understanding this concept is related to recognizing the political and social importance of biodiversity and socio-biodiversity, and also the territories claimed (and culturally recognized) by these peoples.

In accordance with the Federal Decree Number 6.040 from February 7, 2007, traditional peoples and communities are “culturally differentiated groups that self-identify as such, who have their own forms of social organization, that occupy and use territories and natural resources as a condition for their cultural, social and religious, ancestral and economic reproduction, relying on knowledge, innovation and practices generated and transmitted through tradition”. 

Sustainable Development Reserves (RDS) are conservation areas within the category of sustainable use. Main characteristics include: specific zoning patterns, where an internal area is destined to the strict natural resource protection, a focus on scientific research related to nature conservation, an improved relationship with resident populations directed to the conservation of the nature, improving resident populations’ relationship to the environment through environmental education; the involvement of the local population - based on the notion of traditional peoples (see above) - in the decision-making processes of management of the conservation area with equal participation of its representatives in reserves’ Deliberative Councils; and the permanence of private properties within the limits of the RDS, provided that these residents respect the rules and norms of Management Plans.