Identification of Socio-Environmental Conflicts through Participatory Action Research in the Hydrosocial Planning Process of the Manco River (Santander, Colombia)

Abstract

This article analyzes the techniques and tools used within the framework of Participatory Action Research (PAR) for the identification of socio-environmental conflicts, in the context of the participation strategy designed for the management of the Manco River (Santander, Colombia). This hydrological system is configured as a hydro-social territory where multiple actors, interests, and tensions converge around water use and management, demanding participatory approaches that strengthen governance from community perspectives. From a qualitative approach grounded in PAR, techniques such as stakeholder mapping, social cartography, and the socio-environmental conflict matrix were employed. These tools made it possible to identify tensions related to land use, pollution, productive dynamics, and relationships of distrust between actors and institutions. It is concluded that these tools, when articulated within PAR, promote active participation, dialogue of knowledge, and the construction of context-specific solutions, making them essential for the sustainable management of water resources.