The environmental perception of the ones affected by hydroelectric power plants in eastern Amazon

Abstract

The advances of hydroelectric enterprises in the Amazon play an important role in the Brazilian energy mix, given that most of power production is aligned to the growing demand of other regions of the country. However, the process of their deployment involves environmental damage and conflicts between the traditional locals and the hydroelectric enterprises. This paper aims to analyse the Municipality of Ferreira Gomes in habitant’s perceptions on the environmental impacts caused by the three hydroelectric power plants installed on the Araguari river, in Amapá. The data was obtained through applying a semi-structured form utilizing the Google Forms tool, whose sample size was calculated employing the ‘Central limit theorem’. The collected data was tabulated in electronic charts and later analysed. According to the local’s perceptions, the results point to meaningful changes in the natural landscape after the deployment of the hydroelectric power plants, like the appearing of flooded areas close to the city of Ferreira Gomes brought about by the formation of reservoirs, the disturbance of the stability of the hydrologic pulse and of the water quality, and also the waning of water fauna. So, through the optics of the affected ones, the research has revealed that the hydroelectric power plants established new environmental dynamics, mostly negative ones, in the city of Ferreira Gomes. There were several damages to the local biodiversity and the routine of the local in habitants, as well as their relations with the environment, have been meaningfully changed.