Paraguay has witnessed a significant decline in tree cover over the past two decades. A recent incident on August 17, 2024, in the Alto Paraguay Department, adds to the growing concerns over the country's environmental health. With an area of nearly 40 million hectares, Paraguay's tree cover once spanned over 24 million hectares. However, the nation has experienced a net loss of over 5.80 million hectares of tree cover, equating to a 24.70% decrease.
Shifting agriculture remains the predominant driver of this loss, contributing to a substantial portion of the deforestation. The impact of forestry activities, wildfires, and urbanization also play a significant role in the depletion of Paraguay's tree cover. Notably, wildfires have led to considerable emissions of greenhouse gases, further exacerbating the environmental impact.
Explore country profileThe trend over the years has been alarming, with the highest annual tree cover loss occurring in 2012, totaling over 510,000 hectares. Although there has been a slight decrease in the rate of loss in recent years, the persistent issue underscores the need for urgent attention to Paraguay's forest management and conservation strategies.
