WATERFALLS OF MINEIROS-GO: THEORETICAL-LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR CONSERVATION, ACCESS AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Abstract

This article aimed to present the theoretical and legal framework that underpins the conservation, access, and development of sustainable tourism in waterfalls in Mineiros/GO. The problem is the lack of normative and scientific systematization regarding these natural resources, limiting their protection and orderly exploitation. It is hypothesized that the articulation between Brazilian environmental law, the principles of sustainable development, and the available empirical knowledge about local waterfalls provides a sufficient basis for the formulation of public policies and municipal regulatory instruments. The method employed is qualitative-quantitative, with bibliographic and documentary review, analysis of federal legislation, national and international legal doctrine, scientific literature on ecotourism and adventure tourism, and empirical field records produced by the biologist and collaborator Airton Katsuyama. The results demonstrated that: waterfalls constitute public domain assets under the terms of the Brazilian Federal Constitution of 1988 and the National Water Resources Policy, regardless of whether they are located on private property; the socio-environmental function of property and the doctrine of public trust impose on the State the duty to regulate its use; Mineiros/GO has over 120 waterfalls with high tourism, ecological, and cultural potential, which still lack technical systematization and specific regulations; and sustainable tourism in natural environments demonstrably benefits health, income, and community identity. Therefore, the construction of a local regulatory framework, informed by the reference systematized here, is indispensable to realize fundamental rights to a balanced environment, leisure, and health, as well as for the sustainable regional development of the city, aligned with SDGs 3, 8, 11, and 15.