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Paraguay Investigation Uncovers Link Between Deforestation and Cattle Farming
A far-reaching investigation by Earthsight in South America has revealed how a football pitch-sized area of forest is cleared every two minutes in Paraguay.
The clearances are driven by the need to generate space for cattle ranchers to supply the global auto industry with leather and the insatiable international meat industry with provision.
Illegal Deforestation
In the past year, deforestation has continued to be a global issue, fueling the climate crisis and habitat loss for endangered species.
The majority of illegal forest fires and clearances have been reported in Brazil and other South American countries, where farmers use it as a tool to clear the land for pastures.
One of the fastest vanishing areas in the region is the Paraguayan side of the Gran Chaco forest. The continent’s second-largest forest, Chaco covers more than 800,000 square kilometers across Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. It serves as a habitat for rare species that include jaguars, giant anteaters, hairy armadillos, as well as one of the last undisturbed…
