Cuando los saberes no dialogan. Prácticas en conflicto en el Parque Costero Sur (Buenos Aires)

Abstract

El presente trabajo se centró en el partido de Punta Indio (Provincia de Buenos Aires) y tuvo como objetivo relevar las narrativas de los actores involucrados (gestores, docentes y pobladores) sobre el Parque Costero del Sur (PCS) como patrimonio biocultural de la UNESCO. Se aplicaron métodos y técnicas cualitativas usuales en el trabajo etnobiológico. El PCS es escenario de numerosos conflictos debido a la condición de área protegida habitada. Las principales problemáticas relevadas a través de las narrativas se relacionan con la actividad minera, la pavimentación de la RP Nº 11, la prohibición del uso de especies nativas, la dicotomía nativo/exótico y las prácticas asociadas, las especies mencionadas y los espacios representativos. Estas problemáticas incluyen tanto aspectos biológicos como culturales. En general, en los pobladores se puede observar cómo ambos aspectos se entrelazan, mientras que en las narrativas de los docentes y gestores del PCS estas dimensiones tienden a separarse. Esta diferencia depende fundamentalmente de la residencia (o no) en la localidad de Punta del Indio, de los intereses económicos y las actividades desarrolladas. Estos intereses impiden el diálogo entre dichos actores, aspecto que puede ser vehiculizado desde la etnobiología.

Cross-scale analysis of diversification processes in fuelwood use in three contrasting ecoregions of Argentina (Chaco, Pampa and Patagonia): the role of exotic species in subsistence

“…What would happen if these exotic species were not available? Conservation policies in protected areas tend to promote eradication or elimination of exotic species (regardless of their biology, reproductive ecology or invasive character) as they are considered harmful (Doumecq et al 2020b;Silliman et al 2014). Similarly, many environmental agents evaluate the presence of these resources as negative, interested only in the conservation of native species, exotic species-in environmental terms-being considered disruptive (Doumecq 2019;Gantchoff et al 2018).…”

“…Even so, it should be clarified that from the perspective of rural communities, these academic categories (native/exotic) tend not to be considered or to coincide with locals' appropriation of the fauna; the idea of "invasive" even tends to include certain native species that hinder them carrying out their subsistence activities (Martínez and Manzano-García 2019). Exotic species form part of the local cultural heritage; they are known, used, and included in everyday practices independently of their origin, enriching the repertory of plants used by the local people (Chamorro and Ladio 2021;Doumecq et al 2020b;Ghiani Echenique et al 2018;Martínez and Manzano-Garcia 2019). The exotic species used for fuel are thus just as important as the native species in the subsistence lifestyle of the rural communities studied.…”

What to conserve? Different contexts/different pretexts: three study cases in Argentina

“…At local level, the Ordinance Nº 294/98 of Punta Indio bans the use of certain native plant species typical of talar forests such as tala, coronillo, sombra de toro, espinillo (Vachellia caven (Molina) Seigler & Ebinger) and ombú (Phytolacca dioica L.). This regulation is often questioned by the local inhabitants who demand the right to use some of these native species, e.g., tala and coronillo, that are highly valued as firewood (Doumecq 2019, Doumecq et al 2020.…”

“…In fact, for local people, diversity is the sum of biological and cultural diversity, for them there is no such division, both components co-evolve inseparably (Diegues 2000, Maffi 2001). From the recognition of local people as effective administrators of biodiversity and landscape modeling, Biosphere Reserves emerge that contemplate human occupation and sustainable development, however, in their management, the native / exotic dichotomy remains, and efforts are focused on the conservation of native species (Doumecq et al 2020).…”

Diachronic approach to practices associated with the use of firewood in Parque Costero del Sur and its surroundings (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina)

“…A widespread strategy in different protected areas around the world has been the prohibition of use by local people, and in many cases, communities have even been expelled from their territories (Trentini 2015). The classic conception of protected areas based on the intrinsic separation of humans and nature does not consider the fact that the "natural" environments that are intended to be preserved are in fact the result of human practices over time (Doumecq et al 2020b). For this reason, from the 1960s onwards, claims began to be made in defense of local populations, which were recognised as effective administrators of biodiversity and shapers of the landscape.…”