HISTÓRICO DO CÓDIGO FLORESTAL E A CONSTRUÇÃO DO CONCEITO DE ÁREAS DE PRESERVAÇÃO PERMANENTE NO BRASIL

Abstract

This article analyzes the historical development of the Brazilian Forest Code and the consolidation of the concept of Permanent Preservation Areas (APPs) in the country's environmental legal system. Beginning with the first Forest Code of 1934, through Law nº 4,771/1965 to the current Law nº 12,651/2012, the work traces the legislative evolution that culminated in the definition and protection of these strategic areas for environmental conservation. The research demonstrates how APPs were progressively incorporated into legislation as essential instruments for the protection of water resources, geological stability, biodiversity, and human well-being. Through a literature review and document analysis, the study examines the ecological functions of APPs, their delimitation criteria, and implementation mechanisms, highlighting the advances and challenges in implementing this environmental policy. The results indicate that, despite the robust legal framework, the effective protection of APPs still faces obstacles related to territorial occupation, requiring greater coordination between command and control instruments and territorial development policies.