The Orembaé Civil Association filed an environmental protection lawsuit before the Federal Court of Puerto Iguazú against the National Parks Administration (APN) and the National State. The objective is to halt the authorization of so-called “micro-events” in the Cataratas area, within the Iguazú National Park.
The lawsuit requests the absolute and irremediable nullity of APN Resolution No. 460/2025, which allows the holding of social events of up to 60 people in protected areas, under an “experimental” regime and with simplified procedures.
Requested Precautionary Measures
In addition to the lawsuit, the organization requested:
- A precautionary measure of non-innovation, to immediately suspend the effects of the regulation.
- The prohibition of authorizing new events until a final judgment is reached.
- The authorization of the judicial fair, to ensure the continuity of the process.
Main Arguments of the Claim
Orembaé bases its action on several points:
- Violation of the Environmental Impact Assessment regime: the resolution considers the events as having “insignificant impact,” avoiding the Environmental Impact Report required by the National Parks regulations.
- Ecosystem risk: applying an “experimental” measure in an area of extreme fragility violates the precautionary principle, as there are no technical guarantees about the carrying capacity of the Cataratas area.
- Omission of the Prior, Free, and Informed Consultation to the indigenous communities present in the park, a right recognized by the ILO Convention 169.
- Regression in environmental protection standards, as it implies a step back from previously existing regulations in the park’s management.
Statements from the Organization
Lawyer Martín Ferroni, legal representative of Orembaé, stated:
“The National Park cannot be managed under a trial-and-error method without compromising the integrity of the biosphere. Environmental impact is not measured by a single event, but by the accumulation of activities on fragile ecosystems that are already under strong pressure.”
The association reaffirmed its commitment to the defense of the environment and collective rights, noting that they turn to the Judiciary to prevent irreversible consequences in one of the country’s most important natural heritage sites.
Context of the Official Measure
The Argentine Government made official in December 2025 the authorization to hold private micro-events in specific areas of the Iguazú National Park.
The measure, in effect during 2026, allows the rental of emblematic sectors, including the walkways of the Devil’s Throat, under a one-year experimental regime.
A Developing Socio-Environmental Conflict
The discussion about micro-events in Cataratas reflects the tension between:
- Touristic and recreational use of the protected area, with proposals for activity diversification.
- Strict conservation of natural heritage, which demands applying precautionary criteria and respecting indigenous rights.
The case becomes a key precedent to define the limits between environmental management, tourism development, and adherence to international natural area protection standards.
The environmental protection lawsuit filed by Orembaé opens a debate on the compatibility between social events and the conservation of fragile ecosystems. The judicial resolution that emerges will be decisive for the future management of the Iguazú National Park and for defining environmental protection standards in Argentina.
