Uso e conservação da ictiofauna no ecoturismo da região de Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul: o mito da sustentabilidade ecológica no Rio baía bonita (aquário natural de Bonito)

Abstract

The Bonito region, in Mato Grosso do Sul State, stand out in Brazil as national reference of example of correct practices in the ecotourism. In spite of progresses in the tourist operation, a three years study of environmental monitoring in Rio Baía Bonita indicates losses of biodiversity portion, very probably due to the visitation excess. Proposed of management and of low impact tourism practices, with careful operation protocol and reduction of the carrying capacity, they were rejected by the company responsible for the operation in the place. Unfortunattly, this event indicates that there is still an enormous gap among the support that the Conservation Biology could give to the sustainable tourist operation. The model of tourist activity developed by the land-owners is conduct essentially by economical parameters in detriment of the environmental ones, and the conservationism don’t get ahead of the rhetoric. The fragility and uniqueness, as the one of Natural Aquarium area, request scientific contributions for wildlife conservation and environment sustainable use in long term.