Atividades antrópicas, impactos ambientais e estratégias de educação ambiental no Rio da Velha Bárbara - São Bento/MA

Abstract

In recent years, the Velha Bárbara River, located in the urban perimeter of the municipality of São Bento 3 MA, has been facing constant degradation due to the dynamics of the city, the urbanization process and water pollution. This work aims to present the main environmental impacts arising from anthropogenic activities and to promote environmental education strategies among residents living on the banks of the Velha Bárbara River in the municipality of São Bento Maranhão. To carry out the study, a questionnaire with seven (7) objective questions was applied to 30 residents in the neighborhoods where the river passes, in addition to two waste collections with a time interval of months between the dry season and the rainy season in the region. Adding the material in the two collections carried out on the banks of the river at Point 12, we have a total of 10.5 kg of solid waste, with a difference of 3.5 kg less in the second collection compared to the first. The data obtained with the questionnaire indicated that 100% of the residents near the Velha Bárbara River in the municipality of São Bento believe that the main human activity that directly impacts the river is its use for waste accumulation and that although garbage collection is carried out regularly on specific days of the week by means of collection trucks, It has been reported that residents themselves contribute to the pollution of the river by disposing of their waste directly into it, although 80% of residents are aware of the environmental problems faced by the river, 20% claim to have little information about the situation. Therefore, it is concluded that the absence of effective action by the public inspection power favors the continuous degradation of the water bodies of São Bento -MA and that the lack of constant and accessible environmental awareness and education actions prevents future sustainable advances for the community