This 2025, Misiones reached a key milestone in environmental matters: it recorded the lowest level of deforestation in its history.
According to a provincial report, during 2025, 4118 hectares of native forest were lost, an 18% less than the historical average of 5000 hectares annually.
This result consolidates the third consecutive year of decline and positions the province as a leader in conservation policies.
The information was shared by the Ministry of Ecology and Renewable Natural Resources of the province, which presented the report ‘State of Deforestation in Misiones‘ this week.
The data confirms a sustained trend of decreasing deforestation in Misiones since 2023, when 4,790 hectares were deforested.
In 2024, the figure dropped to 4,277 hectares, reaching the current minimum.
The area lost in 2025 represents just 0.27% of the more than 1,500,000 hectares of forest covering the province.
“These results position the province as a national and international example in sustained environmental policies,” indicated Minister Martín Recamán.
Intensified territorial control, key to reducing deforestation in Misiones
This year, the reduction of deforestation in Misiones was directly linked to the increase in forest control operations.
In 2025, more than 150 operations were carried out in different parts of the province, resulting in the issuance of 111 reports and the application of 43 fines.
The provincial government invested in strategic resources to strengthen environmental management. Among the highlighted actions were:
- Incorporation of 4×4 trucks and specialized equipment
- New professionals with specialized technical profiles
- Drones and safety elements for monitoring
- Monthly flights for territorial surveillance
- Mobile homes for mobile controls
Additionally, Land Use Change plans decreased by 46% compared to the previous year.
The total number of approved plans showed a 39% year-on-year decline, consolidating a downward trend.
The challenges Misiones still faces
Despite the progress, the report warned about structural characteristics of deforestation in Misiones.
The phenomenon continues to be mostly atomized, known as “ant deforestation”, mainly driven by small producers.
81% of the cases detected correspond to deforestation of less than one hectare.
Interventions between 1 and 5 hectares represent 17% of the cases, but account for 44% of the total deforested.
A particularly sensitive fact is that 48% of the deforestation was recorded within the Green Corridor, a key territory for the biological connectivity of the Paranaense Forest.
The areas of greatest pressure are concentrated in the northeast and center of the province, with municipalities such as Pozo Azul, San Vicente, San Pedro, and Bernardo de Irigoyen leading the list.
56% of the deforestation occurred in Yellow Category areas, where use must be sustainable and without deforestation.
The 44% remaining occurred in Green Category, subject to land use change under strict technical criteria.
The 2026 projection to combat deforestation in Misiones
Looking ahead to 2026, the Ministry plans to deepen forest management policies through new measures.
To this end, the Provincial Register of Forest Offenders will be implemented, which will prevent the approval of management plans for individuals or companies with active sanctions.
The Digital System for Procedures and Management Plans will also be launched, a platform that will digitize all forest procedures.
The tool will incorporate automatic notifications and establish direct communication channels with municipalities.
Another initiative is the launch of “Eco Contact”, a system that allows citizens to make environmental inquiries and complaints through various channels.
The tool will be integrated into the Environmental Observatory to activate real-time alerts.
During 2025, 100,000 trees were planted in different parts of the province.
The campaign “Let’s Breathe Forests” was launched, and more than 500 pieces of furniture made from seized wood were delivered to clubs, schools, and provincial parks.
Thus, the forest management model in Misiones is consolidated as a national benchmark.
And, looking to the future, it is expected that the combination of technological tools, strengthened territorial control, and citizen participation will allow for a deeper reduction of deforestation in Misiones.
