The Deforestation of the Americas
Since the arrival of Europeans in the Americas, many of the continent’s largest forested regions have suffered drastically from deforestation.
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While some conservation practices have been implemented over the past few decades, regions such as the Amazon are still under direct threat of clearance as landowners, and privately owned companies, aspire to make room for farmland.
The Loss of Trees in the Amazon
A study published by the Amazon Network of Georeferenced Socio-Environmental Information (RAISG) highlights the true extent of deforestation in South America.
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At the current rate of deforestation, the group proposes that from 2021 until 2025, the Amazon may lose a staggering 23.7 million hectares of trees, an area equivalent to the size of the entirety of the United Kingdom.
The American Gran Chaco
Despite the ongoing efforts of environmentalists to ensure this figure does not become a reality, the Amazon is not the only forested region Amercians need to worry about.
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Another region under constant threat of deforestation is the American Gran Chaco, a massive forested region in South America that extends across the nations of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Judge Suspends Deforestation in Chaco
Recently, a part of the forest in the Argentinian province of Chaco was given a lifeline after a judge halted the expansion of deforestation in the region.
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“The head of the Federal Court No. 1 of Resistencia, Zunilda Niremperger, today ordered the suspension of deforestation in the province of Chaco for a period of three months,” wrote Argentina’s public prosecutors office.
Local Officials Accused of Illegally Clearing Land
The decision to halt the deforestation project follows an investigation into local officials and business owners who are accused of profiting from the illegal clearance of land.
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As per the prosecutor’s office, “former provincial officials and legislators had facilitated the indiscriminate felling of trees in Chaco territory.”
Federal Prosecutor Advises Judge to Halt Deforestation
Federal judge Niremperger approved the grant after the federal prosecutor of Chaco’s capital, Patricio Sabadini, proposed the measure, highlighting the collaborative efforts of legal professionals in protecting the environment.
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The judge’s decision intends to “suspend clearing, both those that have been authorized and have not yet been carried out, as well as the granting of new permits for this purpose, in the territory of the province of Chaco; and to adopt the pertinent measures in order to immediately and permanently supervise compliance with it.”
Potential for Long-Term Ecological Damage in the Chaco Forest
During the press release, Judge Niremperger discussed her ruling, highlighting the potential for irreversible damage to the ecosystem as the primary reason behind her decision.
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“I take into account the imminent and irreversible damage that could be caused to the ecosystem if the deforestation in the territory of this province continues,” she said.
Judge Gives Favor to the Forest
The judge further expanded on her reasoning for halting deforestation, explaining that in cases of this nature, favor must be offered for the protection and conservation of the forest.
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“The interdependence between forests, land, and human beings must be highlighted, especially in these places where there are Indigenous communities with a close relationship with the land and the environment since any impact on the environment is an impact on humanity,” the judge stressed.
Indigenous Groups Depend on the Land
Judge Niremperger further emphasized the importance of ensuring the forests are protected not only for the ecosystems but also for the Indigenous groups that live within its boundaries.
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“Environmental damage has specific relevance for Indigenous peoples, children, people living in poverty, people with disabilities, minorities, and the differentiated impact it has on women,” she added.
The Impact of Deforestation on the Chaco Province
The Gran Chaco ecosystem is constantly under threat of deforestation. According to The Nature Conservancy, over 133 square miles are lost each month, highlighting the urgent need for stricter conservation measures.
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According to future projects, millions of acres of native vegetation could disappear by 2030 unless the governments of Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil implement stricter conservation measures.
A Step in the Right Direction
Over two-thirds of the enormous tropical forest lies within the boundaries of modern Argentina. This swathe of land is around 130 million acres in total and is home to over 3,400 plant and 500 bird species, as well as an unprecedented number of animal species.
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While Judge Niremperger’s decision may not save the entire forest, environmentalists have hailed her as a hero, suggesting the suspension of deforestation in the region is a step in the right direction.