The Forest Department of the Ministry of Production and Sustainable Economic Development of **Chaco**, in coordination with the **provincial police**, carried out two **key procedures** to halt the **illegal exploitation of native forests**.
The actions are part of compliance with the current **forest regulations** and aim to **preserve the strategic ecosystems** of the Chaco territory.
## Operations in Pampa del Infierno and Taco Pozo
**Seizure of heavy machinery and confiscation of undocumented wood**
The first operation took place south of **Pampa del Infierno**, where inspectors detected an **unauthorized forest intervention** 12 kilometers from the town. A **Caterpillar D8 bulldozer** operated by a 45-year-old man from **Los Frentones** was seized, along with tools used in the clandestine activity. All the material was taken to the **municipal depot**.
Hours later, a second procedure was carried out north of **Taco Pozo**, where agents intercepted a **truck loaded with red quebracho poles** without supporting documentation. Both the vehicle and the wood were placed under **official custody**.
## Greenpeace denounces illegal deforestation in native forests of Chaco
Over 167,000 hectares deforested since 2020, according to **satellite surveys**.
In August, **Greenpeace Argentina** toured the **Chaco Impenetrable** and documented **four illegal clearings** on farms near **Taco Pozo**, the **Copo National Park**, and the **Loro Hablador Provincial Reserve**.
The organization reported that between **November 2020 and July 2025**, **167,684 hectares** were deforested, an area equivalent to **eight cities of Buenos Aires**.
“Deforestation is an ecocide that leads to species extinction, climate change, floods, droughts, diseases, and evictions,” warned **Noemí Cruz**, coordinator of Greenpeace’s Forest Campaign.
## Impact on endangered species and protected areas
Illegal advancement **threatens the jaguar** and rural communities.
Greenpeace warns that clearings affect the habitat of **less than 20 jaguars** surviving in the **Argentine Gran Chaco**, even in **buffer zones** surrounding protected areas.
In 2019, the organization filed a **writ of protection** with the Supreme Court of Argentina against the provinces of **Chaco, Santiago del Estero, Formosa, and Salta**, and the **National Government**, for violating the **National Law of Native Forests**. The highest court declared its jurisdiction, and its ruling is awaited.
## Argentina and the commitment to Zero Deforestation
Despite international agreements, deforestation continues.
Although Argentina signed a commitment to **Zero Deforestation by 2030** at the **Glasgow Climate Summit 2021**, forest loss rates remain **alarming**.
The lack of **effective controls**, **territorial impunity**, and the **absence of strong penalties** allow illegal deforestation to persist.
