The protection of the Andean-Patagonian forests once again took center stage in Villa La Angostura after the Municipal Court of Infractions imposed a fine exceeding 66 million pesos for an illegal intervention on a plot located on the banks of the Correntoso River.
The property, over 1,300 square meters and located in front of the local Mapuche campsite, was the scene of soil movements and removal of native vegetation carried out without the corresponding authorizations.
As a consequence, the authorities considered that the actions caused a significant impact on an environment of high ecological value, characterized by the presence of protected tree species and ecosystems associated with mountain watercourses.
Inspections detected felling of native trees and alteration of the land
The municipal actions allowed the verification of the opening of an internal path and excavations on a surface of 1,376 square meters without prior authorization.
Additionally, during the inspections, the extraction of 15 myrtle specimens and four young coihues was verified, along with damage caused to other trees due to the exposure of their root systems.
Technicians warned that this type of intervention alters soil stability, increases erosion risks, and affects fundamental ecological processes for the conservation of native forests.
Furthermore, the proximity to the Correntoso River increases the environmental sensitivity of the area, as the riparian vegetation plays a key role in water regulation and in protecting local biodiversity.
The protected species that are part of the local natural heritage
Villa La Angostura is home to some of the most emblematic forests of Patagonia. Among the especially protected species is the myrtle, recognized for its characteristic cinnamon-colored bark and for forming unique ecosystems in the world.
Alongside the myrtle, other native species of ecological relevance are the coihue, the cypress of the mountain range, the lenga, the ñire, and the radal, trees fundamental for the conservation of the Andean-Patagonian forests.
These species provide shelter and food for numerous birds, mammals, and insects, in addition to contributing to carbon capture, local climate regulation, and the conservation of water resources.
For this reason, environmental regulations establish strict controls for any intervention involving vegetation removal or land modification.
Economic sanction and mandatory restoration measures
After analyzing the documentation and administrative actions, the Municipal Court of Infractions decided to hold the landowners jointly responsible for the detected infractions.
The economic sanction amounts to 66,950,000 pesos and includes charges for environmental damage, extraction of protected species, unauthorized soil movements, administrative non-compliance, and urban irregularities.
However, the resolution is not limited to the fine. The owners must regularize all the technical documentation required by the competent areas and undergo an environmental monitoring program.
Restoring the ecosystem to recover natural balance
As part of the recomposition measures, the planting of 20 specimens of native species in sectors defined by the environmental authority has been arranged.
Additionally, the property will remain under municipal technical monitoring until the full compliance of the imposed obligations is verified.
The case thus becomes an example of the growing importance of ecological restoration policies to protect native forests and ensure the conservation of the ecosystems that distinguish Villa La Angostura and the entire Patagonian region.
