The Pantanal biome is one of the largest extensions of continuous flooded areas on the planet, being sensitive and dependent on its hydrological regime to maintain the integrity of its ecosystems. Located in the Upper Paraguay Basin, it encompasses the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, and part of Bolivia and Paraguay. It is susceptible to disarray by human actions developed in the surrounding plateau and plain, which compromise its conservation, thus making necessary to analyze its legal protection at a federal and statal level, in order to veil* if the existing legal regime is forthcoming to the challenges for its sustainability. The deductive method was used, in its exploratory nature, with a qualitative approach, through literary review; document analysis; interviews with public managers, authorities and community members. It was found that the legal system has legal gaps, highlighting the absence of the national regulatory framework, as well as the existence of a fragmented legislation between the states that share the biome, that is, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. It reckons that there is the need to issue a federal regulatory framework, which includes the Pantanal as a single biome and harmonization of state legislation in order to ensure its preservation and the sustainable use of its natural resources.
