Paraguay Battles Single Fire Incident Amidst a History of Substantial Tree Cover Loss

Paraguay Battles Single Fire Incident Amidst a History of Substantial Tree Cover Loss

A recent fire incident in the Canindeyú Department underscores Paraguay's ongoing struggle with forest conservation. Over the past two decades, the country has experienced a significant reduction in tree cover. Notably, the total tree cover loss has reached over 5.80 million hectares, which represents a net decrease of approximately 24.70% of the nation's tree cover. Shifting agriculture remains the leading cause of this decline, contributing to nearly half of the total tree cover loss. The impact of wildfires, while comparatively smaller, has been persistent, with thousands of hectares lost to fires over the years. Urbanization also plays a role, although to a lesser extent. The data reflects a critical need for strategies that balance agricultural practices with forest preservation to mitigate further loss of Paraguay's vital tree cover.