Environmental and Infrastructure Impacts in Brazilian Agrarian Reform Settlements: Contrast between Agropastoral and Agroextrative Projects in Brazil

The Moju I and II Settlement Project (SP) and the Juruti Velho Agro Extractivist Project (ESP) are configured as different types of rural settlement implemented in the Lower Amazonas Mesoregion of the State of Pará / Brazil. This research surveyed the environmental impacts resulting from the degradation of the landscape, infrastructure conditions, and habitability conditions due to the implementation of conventional settlement projects (Moju I and II) and agro extractivist (Juruti Velho), concurrently carrying out an analysis of the contrast between them. To quantify impacts, the Leopold Matrix tool was applied to the database developed in the RADIS/UFMT Project. In turn, the environmental and infrastructure indicators refer to access to water, basic sanitation, telecommunications, electricity, and housing conditions. Asymmetries were evident between the two types of settlements. The lowest environmental impacts are concentrated in ESP due to exploration, which impacts the environment less in terms of deforestation. ESP compared to SP also have better access to water supply and telephone infrastructure, but worse access to internet and electrification. Other impacts are similar in both types of settlements, with little difference. The Agroextractive Settlement Projects (ESP) are a settlement model that promotes sustainable development in the region.