WATER USE PERMIT IN PECAN CULTIVATION: LEGAL ANALYSIS AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE STATE OF PARANÁ

Résumé

Water management in agricultural irrigation represents one of the main contemporary challenges of Environmental Law, given the intensification of water use as an essential input for agricultural production and the potential impacts on water resources. Inadequate use of water in irrigation may compromise water availability, affect ecosystems, and generate legal uncertainty, making it essential to adopt legal and technical instruments aimed at the rational and sustainable use of this natural resource. In this context, the present study aims to analyze water management in agricultural irrigation, focusing on water use permits, irrigation system efficiency, and the promotion of environmental sustainability. The research was developed using a qualitative approach, based on a literature review, normative analysis, and a case study conducted on a rural property located in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Legal provisions applicable to water resources management at both federal and state levels were examined, particularly those established under the National Water Resources Policy, as well as technical criteria related to irrigation planning, estimation of crop water demand, and the selection of more efficient water application methods. The results indicate that the adoption of efficient irrigation systems, combined with technical planning and prior legal regularization of water use through permitting procedures, contributes to the alignment between agricultural water demand and resource availability. It was found that obtaining a water use permit, including under the category of insignificant use, together with water consumption monitoring, enhances legal certainty for agricultural enterprises and reduces the risk of negative environmental impacts. It is concluded that integrated water management in agricultural irrigation, grounded in compliance with environmental legislation, efficient water use, and the adoption of preventive practices, constitutes an essential instrument for the environmental sustainability of agribusiness and the protection of water resources, in accordance with the principles of prevention, sustainable development, and the socio-environmental function of rural property.