Gran Chaco and the campaign to save the native forest

More than 70 civil society organizations, committed to the environment, signed a document and adhered to the Gran Chaco Commitment campaign. The central message is to require the entire community to control activities in the area. A commitment to the modification of land exploitation activities for large-scale agricultural and real estate use. These activities are currently affecting the entire Gran Chaco ecosystem and the communities living in it.

The Gran Chaco is the second largest forest ecoregion in South America. It occupies more than 100 million hectares between Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. It is made up of a wide variety of habitats, including forests, savannahs, grasslands and wetlands. This ecosystem constitutes the living support of a biological, social and productive framework.

The Gran Chaco is home to more than 3400 species of plants, 500 species of birds, 150 species of mammals, 120 species of reptiles and 100 species of amphibians. In addition, this ecoregion contributes to the mitigation and adaptation to climate change and water regulation. It provides sustenance to the life of local communities, food security and development economic. This is possible thanks to the ecosystem services provided by this place.

One of the most threatened regions

Despite its great value, the Gran Chaco is one of the most threatened regions on the planet. Today it is among the 11 most deforestation sites in the world. It is a region with the highest levels of degradation. El Gran Chaco faces the sustained loss of its natural and cultural heritage. Mainly due to the change of land use for agricultural and forestry production and for real estate businesses. These activities are causing serious environmental, social and economic consequences for the province of Chaco. This is why organizations seek to reduce damage and protect the environment.

Source: The Voice of the Interior