This article is the result of a course conclusion dissertation carried out for the Tourism Program of the Universidade Católica Dom Bosco. It analyzes the District of Piraputanga, focusing on the local population and its close relationship with tourism. Piraputanga is located in the Central-West region of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, and belongs to the municipal district of Aquidauana, ninety-five kilometers from Campo Grande, the state capital. It is a region of plains and highlands, and the majority of the area has plant life typical of the cerrado region. It is cut through by the Serra de Maracaju moutain range. After some considerations on the current state of the practice of tourism in the district, this research suggests some guidelines for better management of the activity, taking as a point of departure a proposal for environmental education focused on the community, in order to awaken a critical sense and bring to the fore some issues related to environmental preservation and conservation of the environment. Key words: Tourism; Local Development; Environmental Education.