We keep getting comments and questions because we have such beautiful pictures of the rainforest on our homepage. People wonder and think: “It all looks so green and beautiful, why do we need reforestation here?
But this beauty is deceptive. It only shows the last jewels of a forest that once characterized Paraguay. In only 50 years, Paraguay's rainforest area has been reduced from around 90% to just 10%. This loss is catastrophic - for the environment, the climate, the biodiversity and the people who live from this forest.
Our mission: save and restore the rainforest
Our work is focused on two key tasks
Protection of existing rainforests
We are committed to preserving and enriching the few areas of forest that are still in good condition. One example is our project in Takuarita: 8 out of 10 hectares there are intact rainforest, which we are refining with native species (nativos). We are reforesting the remaining 2 hectares.
But that's not all: we have been offered surrounding plots of land by neighbors - also valuable, well-preserved areas of rainforest. If we can find suitable supporters, we could buy these and expand them to over 60 hectares of contiguous rainforest. That would be a unique natural jewel.
Reforestation of deforested and depleted areas
At the same time, we are addressing the challenge of revitalizing deforested and depleted soils. These areas have been damaged by intensive cattle farming and monocultures. Although such land is cheaper to acquire, reforestation is costly and requires a lot of patience and resources.
Deforestation in Paraguay: An example from the Gran Chaco
A particularly drastic example is the Gran Chaco. This unique ecosystem in western Paraguay covers around 60% of the country's surface area and is home to countless plant and animal species. It is adapted to the extreme climatic conditions. However, the Chaco is increasingly being used for agriculture and is being destroyed further and further in favor of livestock farming and soybean cultivation.
An alarming statistic
According to Global Forest Watch, 87 million hectares of rainforest were deforested in South America between 2001 and 2020 - an area the size of France and England combined.
In Paraguay, around 6 million hectares fell victim to clear-cutting during this period. That is about 1.5 times the area of Switzerland. For comparison: Brazil, the leader in deforestation, lost an incredible 56 million hectares of rainforest in the same years - more than the entire area of France.
What do the peaks mean?
Here you can see the total of 6 million hectares from the previous statistics. This statistic shows that deforestation in Paraguay increased most dramatically in 2007 and 2012. These years coincided with times of political upheaval and economic expansion, which were characterized by investments in agricultural projects. Unfortunately, forest protection took a back seat to the pursuit of short-term economic goals.
In recent years, the rate of deforestation in Paraguay has followed an erratic pattern - a zigzag that illustrates the uncertainty of forest protection measures. In some years the deforestation rate falls, in others the figures shoot up again. These fluctuations are often the result of short-term political and economic decisions. Paraguay is under enormous pressure to promote its economic growth, and unfortunately forest protection often takes a back seat. Without long-term and consistent measures, it will be difficult to preserve the country's natural heritage.
The consequences: a country loses its soul
Ingo, our expert, describes it like this:
"When I arrived in Paraguay, deforestation of the rainforest was just something I had seen on TV. But here in the country, I realized what it really means. A country once rich in ancient, mighty trees is now almost bare. The last big trees are being chopped down - for firewood or timber. Sustainable forestry is practically non-existent.”
The existing law, which prohibits the chopping down of natural forests, is often circumvented. Loopholes and inadequate controls allow illegal logging to continue. Imagine hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest being destroyed every year without anyone ever setting foot in them or exploring their secrets. With them, countless animal and plant species disappear - irretrievably.
You can drive through Paraguay, for many hours, and all you see are landscapes like these two. Flat, bare, no rainforest, not much life.
Imagine, this was all covered by rainforest only 50 years ago.
A current example: 300,000 hectares in flames
In September 2024, around 300,000 hectares of rainforest were destroyed by fire in Paraguay, in the Gran Chaco within just a few weeks. A painful current example of the destruction of forests. The economic interests of a few large landowners and investors are at the forefront - at the expense of the environment, indigenous peoples and the local population.
Imagine an area of the size of Luxembourg, a whole country going up in flames within a few days - irretrievably. What remains is barren land that is now being used for short-term profits. The rainforest is lost forever. The indigenous population not only loses its livelihood, but often also its home and culture. This has led to increasing poverty and crime for decades.
This is not an isolated incident, but a sad part of the systematic deforestation in Paraguay (and similar on other countries in Latin America). It illustrates how important it is to protect intact forests before they are destroyed - and how urgently projects like Panambi need support to promote reforestation and forest protection.
Planting hope: what we can do
But there is hope. Through projects like Panambi, we can give the world “more air to breathe”. We plant native species, protect existing forests and create new habitats for endangered species.
One example illustrates the challenges: In a tree nursery, we asked for seedlings of 50 typical trees of the Atlantic rainforest. The answer was sobering: only 10 species were known. They were described as “exotics” - uninteresting for the trade and for the most part no longer available.
This is exactly where our vision comes in: We dream of one day running our own tree nursery to cultivate these rare species. This would not only allow us to reforest, but also actively contribute to saving endangered species. We have already found some of these “extinct” trees on our property during our initial work in connection with the planting campaign (new blog coming soon). In perfect health. We are already using them to start our tree nursery and grow seedlings.
Your support counts!
Imagine if your contribution could help save a unique ecosystem. With your help, we can protect rainforests, create new forests and bring back native, original species. Together we can restore lost habitats and leave a piece of nature worth protecting for future generations.
Please help us to make this vision a reality. Every donation, every support counts - for the forests, the animals and the people who depend on them. Join us - and become part of our mission to save Paraguay's rainforest.
Cordially,
Silvia and Ingo
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