The recent support from the Government of Entre Ríos for hunting tourism has raised alarms among environmental organizations, who see this measure as a setback in the protection of native fauna. The inclusion of hunting grounds in the Regime of Incentives for New Investments (RINI) implies tax benefits that, according to specialists, promote a business based on the death of birds and other native animals.
The province, renowned for its biodiversity, faces a contradiction: while promoting speeches on environmental care, facilities are enabled for an activity that threatens the ecological balance. Hunting grounds mainly attract foreign tourists seeking to practice sports hunting, a practice criticized for its impact on wild species.
The approved regulations offer tax exemptions in key taxes such as Gross Income, Vehicle, Real Estate, and Stamp taxes, as well as energy refunds and benefits extended for up to two decades. These measures not only reduce costs for current establishments, but also encourage the opening of new ventures dedicated to hunting.
The debate goes beyond the environmental aspect. The decision has also sparked social and legal controversy, as the provincial government faces lawsuits for authorizing the hunting of wild birds, even involving minors. For environmental organizations, this not only erodes wildlife protection but also sends a dangerous message about the relationship between society and nature.
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## Hunting grounds in the country
In Argentina, hunting grounds are distributed in different provinces and function as private or concession spaces where regulated hunting of certain species is allowed. Although in some cases it is argued that they promote tourism and the local economy, their operation has been questioned due to the ecological consequences they generate.
These establishments often release animals to ensure the activity, distorting ecosystems and facilitating the overexploitation of certain species. In other cases, the target is already vulnerable wild populations, accelerating their decline and affecting their role within the food chain. Native birds are the most affected, but deer, wild boars, and other large species are also hunted.
Legally, hunting grounds operate under provincial regulations, creating a mosaic of unequal and sometimes unclear norms. While some jurisdictions advance in restrictive policies, others, like Entre Ríos, expand benefits for this practice. The challenge lies in reconciling the regulations with national and international environmental commitments that promote biodiversity conservation.
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## A controversy that reopens the debate
The controversy in Entre Ríos reopens the debate on the role that wild fauna should play in economic development. While business sectors see an opportunity to attract tourists, environmental organizations insist that the real value of biodiversity lies in its preservation.
The decision to prioritize sports hunting, under the protection of tax benefits, strains the relationship between economic growth and ecological protection in a province that boasts one of the country’s greatest natural riches.
