Paraguay soon to witness its first rural land use plan

18 June 2012

Eastern Paraguay was once an environment characterised by thriving rainforests and wetlands, home to a diverse array of plants and animals.

Loss of environment and livelihood

But due to the uncontrolled expansion of large-scale soy growing, much of Paraguay's remaining rainforest has been cleared.

And wetlands have been drained, or used as reservoirs to irrigate crops.

Poor rural communities depend on forests and wetlands to hunt and gather food, often referring to them as "supermarkets of the people". 

Land use planning will offer poor communities the opportunity to protect themselves from the advancing threat of soy.

Police check on logging vehicle outside La Pastora, Paraguay

The threat remains

However the powerful soy growers are using their influence with local politicians and media to oppose the introduction of land-use plans.

Friends of the Earth Paraguay is working hard to establish the country's first-ever rural land use plans in 3 rural communities.

This will set an important precedent for other communities around the country to follow.

Take action

Support Paraguay's first ever land use plan.

Find out more

Check out our video to hear first hand experiences of the people living alongside soy plantations.