Return in research: The biocultural walk, health and nature on the paths of Antônio Pereira, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais

Abstract

The health impacts in territories with industrial mining activity are multidimensional and complex, requiring a transdisciplinary approach to measure them. The district of Antônio Pereira, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, is experiencing the impacts of the collapse of the Fundão dam that occurred in 2015 and the decommissioning process of the Doutor dam that has been taking place since 2020. Research is underway in this territory, which aims to systematize updated and concrete data on the health situation and needs, using collective health as a theoretical framework. In this essay, we share the experience and reflections of building and carrying out the Biocultural Walk as a feedback from the research process of this project. The action had the following objectives: 1) promote well-being and leisure activities and 2) create a space for information, discussion and reflection on the topics of health, nature and biocultural heritage. Feedback in the format of the Biocultural Walk helped the community and the project's research team build a joint perspective on the concept of health as a guarantee of the right to a healthy, sustainable and supportive territory.