Along the two-kilometer Olho d’Água river in Mato Grosso do Sul, visitors float on the surface with their faces submerged in the clear water, gazing at the fish. One-third of the residents of this region of Bonito work in jobs linked to tourism, which represents around 70% of the local economy. “Fish are more than just food,” emphasizes biologist José Sabino. “They have an impact on culture, aesthetics, and beliefs.” He studies the importance of ecotourism to the preservation of the region, as well as the environmental impacts of human activity. The biggest threat in the region is soybean monoculture, which uses herbicides that could devastate the river’s ecosystem. Well-planned tourism provides more benefits for the human population than impacts on nature.
Image submitted by José Sabino, a professor at the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS)
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