Environment, tourism and land use planning Riachinho Basin, Brazil

Santana do Riacho County, in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, is located in an area known for its natural beauty. The growth of tourism has been the main economic activity of this area. In order to achieve organized land occupation and selfsustained development, thematic maps of the physical environment were elaborated. Analysis of the water sources supply and recreation have been completed. The risk of water contamination has increased, caused by the increase of tourism activities in this area, added to by local authorities policy. The analysis of all the thematic maps and of the quality of the water sources supply of the area, lead us to develop proposals for land use planning and zoning, adequate for the local conditions and the vulnerability of the underground water contamination. These issues are important concerning the local development and also land use, caused by the tourism activities.