ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH HUMAN DIGNITY IN THE IBIAPABA MOUNTAINS – CEARÁ

Abstract

Environmental Law is the branch of legal science responsible for regulating the relationship between humans and the environment, creating norms, principles, and instruments designed to ensure the preservation of natural resources. In Brazil, this branch gained strength especially after the Federal Constitution of 1988, which elevated an ecologically balanced environment to the status of a fundamental right, placing it on the same level as social, individual, and collective rights. This study aims to analyze the lack of effective legal regulation in the Serra da Ibiapaba and its socio-environmental impacts. The methodology consists of a narrative review and documentary analysis based on recent articles, legislation, and international reports. The results indicate that the region faces deforestation, irregular land subdivisions, and institutional fragility, highlighting the gap between constitutional protection and local practice. The discussion demonstrates that environmental degradation violates fundamental rights by compromising health, safety, and quality of life. It is concluded that the effectiveness of environmental law depends on intermunicipal policies, continuous enforcement, and regulatory strengthening, which are indispensable for ensuring human dignity and sustainability.