A barragem de Xingó e os impactos socioambientais no baixo São Francisco sergipano

Abstract

The construction of Xingó dam reservoir in the lower course of São Francisco River basin has lasted part of the main course, altering the natural dynamics of the river system in the whole of the environmental system and the socioeconomic aspects of towns that are located downstream from its banks. Since the construction , the people who live in the Lower São Francisco region, have many problems ranging from changes in the physical environment, to the socioeconomic aspects, promoted by the government itself, responsible for the execution of river dam project for financial purposes. electric power generation to serve the country's economic sector. The methodological bases for supporting the thesis were based on the General Systems Theory. In order to investigate the object of research, it was prioritized as a general objective to check the Xingó dam and the socioenvironmental impacts resulting from this great engineering work in the Lower São Francisco Sergipano. In order to fulfill this and other specific objectives, different methodological procedures were used, prioritizing bibliographic, cartographic and fieldwork surveys. It was found, among other results, that the action of man directly interfered in the natural environment and reflected in socioeconomic and environmental relations. The situation considered as the most critical was that of riverside dwellers and aquatic fauna and flora, which showed significant changes (losses) over the past two decades, showing in many cases, to be irreversible to the impacts suffered. On the other hand, even with such hydrological, microclimate, geomorphological and biotic impacts, it was also found that many economic development projects were implemented after the construction of the Xingó dam, which besides providing income generation and direct and indirect jobs, the intense use of pesticides compromised the quality of water and soil, and consequently the entire natural environment of low São Francisco.The referred dam caused an increase of conflicts, which were accentuated by the dispute over water and soil resources, interfering in social practices, in the way of using the territory and available natural resources. Thus, for conclusive reasons, there is a need for effective practices that use the sustainable use of available natural resources in accordance with current environmental laws, since sediment retention and the São Francisco River dam have committed fauna and flora to downstream of Xingó leading to the imbalance of several species. In addition, the Xingó dam is among those in Brazil considered to be of high risk, without, however, an emergency plan as required by law to date.