Posted on September, 15 2004

Asuncion, Paraguay - A social pact — which should see Paraguay's main economic, social, and political forces commiting to establish limitations for the conversion of native forests into other land uses — was launched today by the country's Vice President, Luis Castiglione. 
 
Proposed by WWF, the pact seeks to conserve Paraguay's Upper Paranà Atlantic Forest, which is known for its high biodiversity and high level of species endemism — over 90 per cent of all amphibians and 50 per cent of all plants here are found nowhere else on earth. 
 
The Atlantic Forest is also one of the most endangered rainforests on earth. The main threat is the felling of trees to make room for agriculture, livestock and roads. In particular, the expansion of soy production is a key driver in forest conversion. In many areas, over 95 per cent of natural forests have been lost. As a result, many of the forest's unique species, such as the tamarin and jaguar, are in danger of extinction. 
 
Today's launch of the social pact is a culmination of WWF's awareness-raising campaign in the country. Public awareness was a prerequisite in forming such a pact, which has also received the support of the United Nations in Paraguay. Others lending their support include Paraguay's Environmental Secretary (SEAM), CAP, and CERNECO. The latter two are private institutions which have garnered support from the mass media, advertising agencies, and announcers.

Once signed and implemented, the social pact will give legitimacy to all decisions taken to conserve and protect the Upper Paranà Atlantic Forest. It will set limits to conversion of forests for other land uses, namely agriculture and pasture. It could therefore signal to importers that the soy they buy from Paraguay has not come from cleared native forests. 
 
In a letter to WWF giving support to the social pact, Paraguay Vice-President Luis Alberto Catiglioni said he recognised that the pact will help improve the quality of life for people living in the Atlantic Forest, as well as help the sustainable use of natural resources. 
 
WWF is working with all sectors to find economical and viable alternatives to implement the pact. The launch today was attended by presidents of the Legislative Branch and the Justice Branch, the General Attorney, ambassadors, business leaders, media directors, environmental NGO representatives, as well as the governors of the ten departments across which the Upper Paranà Atlantic Forest is spread. 

The Atlantic Forest stretches across the borders of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, and is one of WWF’s Global 200 ecoregions  — a science-based global ranking of the world's most biologically outstanding habitats and the regions on which WWF concentrates its efforts. 
 
For further information:
Lucy Aquino
WWF Paraquay Atlantic Forest Ecoregional Office 
E-mail: alaquino@wwf.org.py 
Tel.: +595 21 300733