A Geografia nos seus olhos: impactos da UHE Itá nas paisagens dos moradores da Linha Rio Branco, Mariano Moro-RS

Abstract

This work is aimed at the analysis of one of the facets of the relation nature society that presents itself in the construction and implantation of hydroelectric projects. The focus will be the testimony of the residents of the Rio Branco community, municipality of Mariano Moro, Rio Grande do Sul, in order to interpret, in their perception, the changes that occurred due to UHE Itá. It is necessary to understand the transformations of the landscape in the way of the environmental perception of the people who were directly affected with the construction of the same one. In the case of this work, with the cut of the Rio Branco Line, I sought the understanding of the application of the concept of landscape as an indicator of social transformations, motivated by the installation of the project and all of its equipment in that area of study. Thus, for Geography, "It is necessary to emphasize that it is not only the" natural "landscape, but of the total landscape integrating all the implications of anthropic action" (BERTRAND, p.141, 2004). The research is justified by this theme being interesting in geographic science in that it values the study of the landscape in a hybrid perspective between nature and culture. The methodology of this work consisted of bibliographical surveys of this theme, fieldwork on the Rio Branco line in order to obtain photographic records and information about the community, as well as interviews with the residents who had their places affected by the lake of UHE Itá , Transcription of interviews followed by analysis of the same with respect to the perception of the residents regarding the transformations caused by the dam in their places and their landscapes. Finally, I conclude that although many residents appreciate the "beautiful landscape" that the presence of the lake generated in the community, they all miss what the Rio Branco was like before the year of 2000. They all miss their neighbors and friends. Through the memories of the residents concerning their places in the old community, it was possible to perceive the feeling of attachment that is present in them, which resulted in the completion of this work.