An incident recorded during the past weekend raised alarms in the Batea Mahuida Protected Natural Area, located in Villa Pehuenia, in the province of Neuquén.
Two 4×4 vehicles were filmed performing abrupt maneuvers on the ice of Laguna Corazón, within a restricted access area due to environmental regulations. The images quickly went viral on social media and regional media.
The action was reported by park rangers of the area, who captured and shared the scenes to make their impact visible and alert the community. In the videos, the trucks are seen making sharp turns on the frozen surface while a group of people watches from the surroundings.
Environmental, Legal, and Human Risks
Provincial authorities confirmed that a formal investigation has been initiated to identify those responsible. The Director of Wildlife and Protected Natural Areas, Nicolás Lagos, stated that the incident could be classified as an infraction for habitat destruction, as provided for in Law 2539 on territorial conservation.
“We are collaborating with the park rangers to penalize those involved. In addition to the maneuver, we will analyze how they accessed the site and whether there was any impact on vegetation or the adjacent ecosystem,” Lagos said.
The area’s administration pointed out that heavy vehicles driving on ice pose a life risk since the ice thickness varies in each area, and its breaking could lead to serious accidents.
The environmental conditions of the surroundings—snowfall, subzero temperatures, and poor visibility—exacerbate the danger. In this context, all tourist or recreational activities require prior authorization, evaluation of impact on biodiversity, and compliance with the conservation objectives of each area.
Background and Territorial Control in Batea Mahuida
Park rangers confirmed that the incident occurred in an area where vehicle access is prohibited, even in areas designated for visitors. Laguna Corazón, due to its high ecological value, only allows pedestrian circulation.
“This is not an isolated incident. Similar situations have been recorded in previous winters, despite control and awareness efforts,” warned the area’s management.
Additionally, Lagos differentiated between occasional recreational use and the commercialization of unauthorized tourist products. In cases where a cross-country journey is offered as a tourist service without being registered, the damage can be greater, and the circuit usually takes place outside authorized routes.
Regulatory Review and Future Prevention
The provincial government reported that it is in the process of updating regulations related to the use of 4×4 vehicles in natural areas, with the aim of strengthening prevention, control mechanisms, and safety in future seasons.
Meanwhile, the administrative investigation continues to determine responsibilities and apply sanctions in accordance with current legislation.
