The Regional Forum in Defense of the Río de La Plata reported that the clearing of approximately 150 hectares continues on the coast of Berazategui, where the project known as Distrito Eco Urbano Norte is advancing. The site is located between Varela Street, the Sewage Pretreatment Plant, the highway, and the Río de la Plata.
According to the organization, in recent weeks, earthmoving activities have intensified, including the opening of streets, quarry digging, land elevation, and clearing in an area they describe as a rich coastal ecosystem composed of wetlands and native forest areas.
Legal and environmental challenges
The Forum recalled that the municipal ordinance 6552/24, which enables the project’s development, “is not approved by the provincial Ministry of Environment.” Therefore, local environmental entities filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court of Justice of Buenos Aires requesting the unconstitutionality of the regulation.
In their statement, they noted that there are currently “about a dozen heavy machines” working on the floodplain, conducting excavations, fillings, and soil compaction in an area considered a wetland. “This ecosystem is losing its natural characteristics and it will be impossible to revert it to its previous state because the wetland disappears under tons of earth,” they stated.
Impact on native forest
The complaints also point to the impact on native forest areas protected by Provincial Law No. 14.888, in yellow and red categories. Drone images reportedly confirmed the opening of roads and the start of clearing in areas with native vegetation.
Lack of public information
The Forum criticized the absence of informative signage about the work, the lack of mandatory public consultation, and the lack of transparency regarding the ownership and authorization of the work. They indicated that this pattern is repeated in other real estate developments in the region.
“We have made the corresponding complaints to the Municipality and the Provincial Ministry of Environment, although we continue to place all our hopes on popular mobilization,” they concluded.
Importance of stopping the clearing
Deforestation and clearing have serious consequences:
- Climate action: forests are natural carbon sinks; cutting them down releases CO₂ and accelerates global warming.
- Biodiversity and health: destroys habitats of flora and fauna and increases the risk of pathogen transmission.
- Disaster prevention: the loss of vegetation cover causes erosion, droughts, and floods.
- Sustainability and life: ensures livelihoods for local communities and food security.
In Argentina, the Forest Law (26.331) regulates the protection of native ecosystems, establishing conservation categories and limiting deforestation in critical areas.
The conflict in Berazategui reflects the tension between the advancement of urban projects and the need to preserve strategic coastal ecosystems. The Regional Forum’s complaint highlights that defending wetlands and native forests is essential to confront climate change, protect biodiversity, and ensure the quality of life for communities.
