The Ministry of Environment and Social Development (Mades) issued an opinion against the bill promoted by Deputy José Rodríguez Maciel, which sought to authorize prospecting and hydrocarbon exploitation activities in the Médanos del Chaco National Park, a protected wilderness area of 605,000 hectares.
Minister Rolando De Barros Barreto sent technical and legal reports prepared by the Directorate General of Biodiversity Protection and Conservation and the Legal Advisory of Mades to the Lower House and the Legislation Commission.
Legal and Environmental Arguments
The opinion is based on:
- Law 352/94 on Protected Areas: prohibits the occupation of lands declared as protected wilderness areas.
- Principle of Imprescriptibility: the lands of the Park are inalienable patrimony of the State.
- National Environmental Policy (PAN): linked to the Paraguay 2023 National Development Plan, which establishes principles such as:
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- Non-regression: environmental policies must not regress in sustainability standards.
- Conservation: protect biodiversity and natural resources for present and future generations.
Ecosystem at Risk
The Médanos del Chaco National Park is a unique ecosystem in Paraguay, home to emblematic species such as the jaguar and the guanaco, as well as strategic water sources like the Yrenda aquifer and the source of the Timane River. Hydrocarbon exploitation would endanger both biodiversity and the region’s water security.
Social Reactions
The Coalition for Forests, comprised of civil organizations and environmental networks, expressed its rejection of the project, stating that:
- It would violate the principle of environmental non-regression.
- It would contradict international commitments such as the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
- It could affect the negotiation of the Mercosur-European Union agreement, which requires high environmental standards.
Legislative Background
Mades had already requested in previous years that Congress not support similar proposals, which led to the shelving of projects to amend Law No. 5723/2016. The insistence on enabling extractive activities within protected areas raises concerns about the precedent that could be set in Paraguayan environmental policy.
International Dimension
The discussion about Médanos del Chaco transcends the local. The pressure to allow explorations in protected areas faces Paraguay’s international commitments on climate change and biodiversity. The approval of this project could weaken the country’s image in multilateral negotiations and compromise strategic trade agreements.
Mades’ rejection reaffirms the importance of maintaining the integrity of protected areas against extractive pressures. The defense of the Médanos del Chaco National Park not only protects a unique ecosystem but also preserves international commitments and guarantees environmental rights for future generations. The decision sets a key precedent in Paraguayan environmental policy and reinforces the need to strengthen ecological governance.
