In the last few hours, authorities from the province of Chaco detected new illegal deforestations. This is a scourge that heavily affects the districts of northern Argentina.
Personnel from the Directorate of Forests inspected three properties located in the town of Las Breñas, Department 9 de Julio, after detecting changes in land use.
The tasks were carried out together with police officers from the Rural Security Department of General Pinedo and the judicial officer from the Las Breñas Court of Peace.
Operation against illegal deforestations in Chaco
In the first inspected lot, no evidence of forest exploitation activities was found, as reported by local media. However, indications were found that a machine had been in the area.
In the second property, inspectors verified a change in land use covering approximately 15 hectares. No machines or people were found on-site, so investigations continue to identify those responsible for the activities.
In the third property, a significant change in land use was also detected. They confirmed that the work was carried out with an articulated Michigan tractor with a front loader, which was confiscated.
Additionally, a second tractor, a John Deere, was confiscated and transferred to the Rural Security Department property in General Pinedo.
Inspectors issued a citation for violation to a worker present, who provided information about the landowner and the machines used.
The Director of Forests of the Province, Gustavo Vázquez, referred to the operation and stated that these infractions were detected “thanks to tools from the Geo Department, which allow identifying changes in forest cover.” In addition, a drone was used to locate one of the machines, which was hidden in a wooded area.
According to reports, the investigation to find those responsible and apply the relevant sanctions continues.
Deforestations: in 6 months, three times the size of Buenos Aires were deforested
These events occur in a delicate context regarding deforestation. During the first semester of the year, in the northern region of the country, 15% more was deforested than in the same period of 2023.
In 6 months, three times the size of Buenos Aires was deforested. This alarming data comes from a survey conducted by Greenpeace Argentina through satellite images during the first semester of the year in the northern region of the country.
“Due to the deforestations in the northern region of the country, where most are illegal, the population was alarmed again after Greenpeace published its half-year deforestation report,” they stated in a press release.
“The satellite images taken by the environmental organization showed that the most severe situation occurs in Chaco and Santiago del Estero and reiterated the call for the penalization of forest destruction,” they added.
“We are very concerned about this increase in deforestation, and that most of it is illegal. In Chaco, all deforestations were done in violation of the suspension imposed by the provincial justice at the end of 2020,” stated Hernán Giardini, coordinator of the Forest Campaign at Greenpeace.
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