Posted on December, 01 2004

Asuncion, Paraguay - Paraguay is putting a halt to ongoing deforestation in the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest, following a unanimous decision by the country's Parliament in favour of a law forbidding the conversion of native forests in the eastern region of Paraguay for an initial period of two years.

WWF had proposed a moratorium for the last two years and will support the implementation of the conversion ban. 
 
“The moratorium takes off pressure and gives time to find long-lasting solutions for the conservation of the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest," said Lucy Aquino of WWF-Paraguay.
 
WWF recently launched a social pact — which once signed and implemented by Paraguay's main economic, social, and political forces — will set limits to conversion of forests for other land uses, namely agriculture and pasture lands.
 
The Atlantic Forest is one of the most endangered rainforests on earth. It 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 are found only here. 
 
Until now, much of the deforestation registered every year in the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest was legal. According to Paraguay's forest law, land owners only had to keep at least 25 per cent of their land as forest reserve, with the remaining 75 per cent open to agricultural use. With the new law, though, land owners will not be allowed to deforest any further, even if forests comprises more than 25 per cent of their land.

In addition, plans to develop 300,000ha of forests are pending approval by the Environment Ministry. WWF expects these plans to be rejected.
 
WWF aims to work with Paraguay's Ministry of Environment in supporting the new law and will engage in monitoring activities, including using satellite imagery.

Any deforestation detected will be shared with the authorities.

For further information: 
Lucy Aquino 
WWF Paraguay Atlantic Forest Ecoregional Office 
Tel: +595 21 300733
Email: alaquino@wwf.org.py