The strategic relevance of the São Marcos River Basin (MG, GO and Federal District): Water disputes between regional and intranational hegemonic agents

Abstract

Political geography of water constitutes an important method that allows a more systematic understanding of the nuances that determine the hydric dynamics of river basins. Its premises enable the assessment of political and territorial dimensions in the context of water conflict, which impacts the supply, demand, distribution, and regulation of water on a regional scale. Based on the concept of hydropolitics, contextualized within the premises of the Political Geography of water, this study aims to demonstrate the strategic importance of the São Marcos River Basin concerning the hydric dynamics of the Central-South region of Brazil, highlighting that water use criteria ultimately result from deliberations and regulations by the State. To this end, we conducted a survey of conflict hotspots, water supply and demand, the geographical dimension of institutional structures, the presence of management instruments, and the regional context of the mentioned basin. In this context, the objective of this study is to characterize the São Marcos River Basin, embedded in a situation of water conflicts between regional and intranational hegemonic agents, to promote an analysis of its hydric importance regarding water production and distribution concerning downstream basins. Methodologically, we resorted to a bibliographic and documentary review, as well as the analysis of data collected in the field. As a result, the study highlights that the São Marcos River Basin is strategic due to essential factors related to its location and policies of water use and management aligned with the employed productive model, within a context marked by water conflict between the irrigating class and the energy sector.

Keywords: Water Political Geography; São Marcos River Basin; Irrigation; Hydroelectric Power Plants.