By: canal26.com
The proposed regulation would allow massive logging, which represents a serious setback in the protection of the region’s ecosystems, by legalizing currently prohibited deforestation practices.
The government of Salta, led by Gustavo Sáenz, is facing harsh criticism for promoting a bill that would allow massive logging of more than 700,000 hectares of native forests, as denounced by the environmental organization Greenpeace.
The measure, which could be approved before the end of the year, was described as a direct violation of the National Forestry Law, sparking a strong controversy both within the province and nationally.
In a statement, Greenpeace highlighted that the proposed regulation represents a serious setback in the protection of the region’s ecosystems , by legalizing currently prohibited deforestation practices.
“The Sáenz government seeks to give legal impunity to large agricultural producers to devastate the forests of Salta,” stated Noemí Cruz, coordinator of the Forests Campaign of the NGO.
The controversy: covert relaxation of the Forestry Law
The project introduces a new classification called “Yellow Zone with green circle,” which, according to environmentalists, allows deforestation in areas that were previously protected. “We are facing an evident relaxation of the norm to allow deforestation where it is currently prohibited,” explained Cruz.
As detailed by the environmental organization, 174,024 hectares of protected forests in Salta were deforested between 1998 and 2017. Since the enactment of the Forestry Law in 2007, half of the deforestation has been illegal.
In addition, the government of Salta has repeatedly called public hearings to authorize deforestation by large agricultural producers. Among them are: Agrodesmontes S.A., SILHER S.R.L., Antonio Ricardo Talavera, María Luisa Bracero, Campos del Trópico S.A., Alberto Cañizares, Rodrigo René Cuellar, José Ignacio Lecuona de Prat, and Joaquín Alejandro Paz Salazar.
The magnitude of the territory in question, 720,000 hectares, is equivalent to more than 35 times the surface area of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, highlighting the environmental impact that could be generated. In addition to the loss of biodiversity, experts warn about the social and economic consequences for indigenous communities and peasants who depend directly on the forest.
The proposal has sparked a wave of criticism from NGOs, academic sectors, and social groups demanding a public and transparent debate on land use planning. According to Greenpeace, this project not only contradicts the National Forestry Law but also jeopardizes the international commitments made by Argentina regarding climate change and sustainability.
Amid this scenario, activists have called for the intervention of national authorities to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Meanwhile, the province of Salta remains vigilant about the progress of this project, which could become one of the biggest environmental conflicts in recent years in the country due to massive logging.
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