Paraguay is making progress in its commitment to environmental conservation and could declare up to 30% of its territory as protected and effectively conserved areas. This would be possible if indigenous areas, areas designated by local governments, and buffer and transition zones of biosphere reserves meet sustainable resource management criteria and ensure biodiversity preservation.
The country is one of over 100 signatories of the global commitment that aims for at least 30% of the planet’s terrestrial and marine territory to be protected by 2030. Currently, Paraguay has approximately 7% of its surface as protected wilderness areas. To reach the goal, the government proposes designating 20% under the figure of protected wilderness areas and Other Effective Conservation Measures Based on Areas (OECMs).
Paraguay’s challenge lies not only in reaching a specific percentage but in ensuring effective and sustainable conservation. To achieve this, efficient and realistic criteria are sought to ensure biodiversity protection and responsible ecosystem management.
“It’s not just about conserving to meet a numerical target, but about implementing strategies that allow for real biodiversity conservation and its proper management,” explain experts in the field.
protected natural areas
Criteria for OECMs
OECMs represent a key mechanism to expand the country’s protected areas, but to be officially recognized, they must ensure long-term conservation. This involves implementing sustainable practices that allow local communities to use resources without compromising the ecological balance.
Currently, Paraguay is evaluating if some areas qualify as OECMs, a crucial step to expand conservation coverage without the need to turn them into national parks or strict reserves.
International Commitment and Biodiversity
Paraguay’s efforts in this direction respond to four main objectives: increasing the surface area of natural ecosystems and protecting wild species, promoting the sustainable use of biodiversity, ensuring an equitable distribution of benefits derived from conservation, and obtaining the financial means and resources necessary to ensure the success of these measures.
The future of biodiversity in Paraguay will depend on the government’s and society’s commitment to adopting concrete measures that balance conservation with sustainable development. Achieving this would be a significant step towards preserving the country’s natural heritage and fulfilling global environmental agreements.
protected areas
Protected Areas in Paraguay
Paraguay has different protected areas under the protection of the National System of Protected Wild Areas (SINASIP), a system made up of areas of ecological and social importance at the local, national, and international levels. The protected areas within the system include:
- Bella Vista National Park
- Cerro Dos de Oro Protected Landscape
- Yvytyrusú Guaira Managed Resource Reserve
- Yabebyry Wildlife Refuge
- Capiibary Ecological Reserve
- Cerro Chororí Natural Monument
- Mbaracayú Forest Natural Reserve
- Itabó Biological Reserve
- Mbaracayú Biological Refuge
- Carapá Natural Reserve
Furthermore, SINASIP has 12 management categories, including the Paraguayan Chaco, the largest protected area in the region covering around 720,000 hectares.
Have you visited our YouTube channel yet? Subscribe now!
