A educação ambiental e a valorização do património natural de São Tomé e Príncipe: contributos e desafios para o desenvolvimento local

Abstract

The natural heritage of São Tomé and Príncipe archipelago has been identified and recognized by the scientific community, a process in which its rich biological diversity has been more prominent than geological diversity, despite its relative importance. The community’s relationship with the natural resources of the archipelago has been intensifying and promoting significant impacts, as evidenced by the progressive depletion of the forest, coastal erosion and furtive extraction of aggregates, among other identified situations. To promote a greater and better knowledge of the natural heritage of São Tomé and Príncipe, as well as more harmonious relationship models between the community and this heritage, is a design of Environmental Education. Environmental Education becomes a promoter of the awareness, formation, dissemination, promotion and valorization of knowledge related to the natural/environmental heritage, becoming a vehicle for intervention and community development. It may contributes to the development of the archipelago at its various levels - encompassing multiple actors in this educational process, including educational establishments, non-governmental organizations with environmental and development concerns, professional orders and political power, among others - of a network of cooperation/partnerships essential to the country and the defense of its natural heritage.