Booted Eagle saved Project support for 2012 Spring ... - LIPU-UK

Alberto, what are the main threats for birds in Paraguay?The main threat is certainly the loss of territory.Paraguay contains six important ecoregions, twoof which are in particular danger: the AtlanticForest, which has lost 90% of its original extent todeforestation, and the Forest of Chaco, which hasundergone deforestation at a rate of 1,200 hectaresper day. Other threats come from the uncontrolledincrease in agriculture, water pollution andurbanisation.One of your principal activities is protection of forests. Whatare the objectives?We are working in many areas to show theimportance of the forests in supplying theecosystems. Guyra Paraguay are conducting aproject included in the programme “Forest ofHope”, which is evaluating the value of 10 thousandhectares of virgin forest in offsetting the productionof 850 thousand tons of CO2, in order to ensureconservation. This includes 270 hectares incollaboration with the indigenous Mbya tribe in theAtlantic Forest, and another 4,700 hectares with theIshir tribe in the Chaco-Pantanal region.Do you believe that the laws in Paraguay are effective inconserving nature?Legislation in Paraguay is innovative, modern andcomprehensive, but the great problem is that theauthorities do not enforce the laws. One example isthe case of the Bay of Asunción, an Important BirdArea (IBA) protected by national laws. However,this habitat has been badly damaged as a result of theplanning and construction of an enormous highwayAli Spring 12Page 15