Entre a racionalidade burocrática e a ambiental: a preservação das águas minerais no município de Cambuquira/MG

Abstract

The expansion of cities and population growth pose a challenge to urban development, especially considering the emergence of environmental issues historically neglected in favor of an economic rationality prioritizing maximum resource optimization for profit. In this capitalist perspective, development relies predominantly on economic factors, employing a complex organizational apparatus under the discourse of efficiency enhancement but at the expense of environmental preservation. The research problem of this dissertation revolves around the question: Is it possible to overcome the dominance of economic and political factors at the expense of environmental issues? Thus, the objective is to analyze the divergences between bureaucratic and environmental rationalities in preserving mineral waters in a municipality in Minas Gerais, focusing on the period from 1995 to 2023. Three environmental guidelines from the Municipal Master Plan of Cambuquira, in effect since 1995, were selected for study: piped water treatment, sanitary sewage, and solid waste disposal. These issues were examined through legal proceedings initiated by the Public Prosecutor's Office, reports, and documents from the municipal government, a natural vulnerability map produced by the Gorceix Foundation, and an Environmental Adjustment Agreement defining preservation measures. Interviews were conducted at the Municipal City Hall, the Environmental Sector Management, the NGO Nova Cambuquira, and the local Public Prosecutor's Office to capture the perspectives of key stakeholders. Content analysis and bibliographical/documentary research methods were employed for data treatment. The material was examined in light of the conflict between environmental and bureaucratic rationalities. The results indicated that the municipal legislation, notably the Master Plan, expressed concern for balancing the environment and urban development since its 1995 edition. However, some environmental guidelines established by the law were implemented years later, driven by legal processes, highlighting the prevalence of bureaucratic rationality over environmental concerns. The study revealed evidence of potential damage to mineral water sources, possibly due to executive branch inaction.