THE SUGAR CANE CULTIVATION EXPANSION AND CHANGES IN PERMANENT PRESERVATIVE AREAS IN ARTIFICIAL WATER RESERVOIRS

Abstract

The expansion of sugarcane cultivation has been justified because it is one of the pillars of Brazilian economic development, however, this growth often occurs to the detriment of social and environmental issues. The new Forest Code, sanctioned by Law no. 12.651 on May 25, 2012, brought new and specific rules on permanent preservation areas, drastically reducing the protection of the artificial areas near at the reservoirs of generation of electric energy with concession prior to 2001, to cover only the maximum level of operation of the reservoir. The objective of this work is to understand the changes promoted in the environmental field after the publication of Law no. 12.651 / 12, especially regarding the areas of permanent preservation around the reservoir of the São Simão Hydroelectric Power Plant, in the municipality of Santa Vitória (MG). In the technical field, qualitative research was used, through theoretical research, documentary research and field research to achieve the objectives. Finally, the results of the research identified the territorialization that occurred in the Triângulo Mineiro and the municipality of Santa Vitória (MG) by sugarcane, replacing existing crops and pasture areas due to the installation of several sugarcane industries, using mainly of the agricultural partnership agreement for the planting of sugarcane. It was also verified that the occupation by sugarcane of the old areas of permanent preservation has already begun, this time without legal protection, causing several damages to the environment.