A new chapter is added to the conflict related to Environmental Justice in Villa Allende, in the province of Córdoba.
Neighbors and organizations filed a legal recourse to halt the relocation of a 283-year-old white quebracho tree, considered a symbol of the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
The tree is located on the site where a branch of Banco Santander is being built. Therefore, they intend to move it to continue with the construction.
The case of the white quebracho tree mobilizing Environmental Justice
The white quebracho tree (Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco) is a native tree that has witnessed almost centuries of history in the area.
With its 283 years, it is one of the oldest in the urban area of Villa Allende and has high environmental, historical, and cultural value.
Its relocation raises concerns about the irreversible damage its root system could suffer, even leading to its death.
Experts and locals argue that moving a tree of such size and age represents a serious risk, as there are no guarantees that it will survive the procedure.
They also highlight that the white quebracho plays a crucial role as a biodiversity reservoir and as a barrier against soil erosion.
Legal recourse and citizen mobilization
Faced with this situation, a group of citizens filed a precautionary measure with the Justice of Córdoba requesting to prevent the tree’s relocation until an independent environmental assessment is conducted. They also demand that less aggressive alternatives for the natural environment be analyzed.
Local organizations argue that the felling or relocation of native trees in urban contexts should consider the precautionary principle, present in the General Environmental Law (Law 25.675). It establishes the priority of protecting ecosystems in the face of any doubt about their impact.
Furthermore, they question that the bank’s project did not initially consider the preservation of a centennial tree, and they demand greater corporate environmental responsibility in urban infrastructure projects.
A cause that transcends the local
The defense of the white quebracho tree in Villa Allende has become a symbol of environmental justice in Argentina, garnering support from environmental groups and citizens from other provinces.
For many, the case is an example of the clash between urban development and the conservation of native species.
