Burning of wetlands in Argentina: environmentalists describe it as 'ecocide' against the expansion of livestock farming
- 4 years ago
The Argentinian province of Entre Ríos has registered fires in the wetlands and islands along the Paraná river for a few weeks. The smoke is seriously affecting the city of Rosario, province of Santa Fe.
Thus, in the last hours, flames were registered again and the images were shared on social networks by netizens.
Argentinian government and environmentalists point out that the origin of the fire is from 'agribusiness'. In other words, it is believed that the foci are generated to clear the wilderness and expand monoculture - mainly soybean - or livestock activity.
Environmentalists explain that fires are transferred to the city adding to the pandemic, "devastates one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet."
In this sense, they remember that these ecosystems retain polluting nutrients, store carbon by slowing down climate change, retain floods, and prevent flooding in cities below, among other functions.
The mayor of Rosario, Pablo Javkin, claims that the fires are intentional. Social networks have criticized the government of the neighboring province for not properly controlling it, and asked the Justice "to put those responsible in jail."
In turn, the Argentinian Environment Minister, Juan Cabandié, reproached the lack of judicial speed to act on time: "There is no more place for slowness or the defense of spurious interests".
On the other hand, from the province of Santa Fe, they are gathering signatures to promote the debate on the Wetlands Law in Congress and protect these natural spaces throughout the country. It is legislation raised by environmental groups for many years, but which was never passed.
The Paraná Delta is home to 700 species of vegetables and 543 species of vertebrates, while its great wealth of birds, with 260 species, represents 31 percent of the avifauna of Argentina. It is urgently necessary to advance in the protection of this valuable ecosystem.
SOUNDBITE: JUAN CABANDIE, Minister of Environment of Argentina
"If the justice system calls for an investigation and punishes those responsible within the framework of the Law, the joke that causes so much damage to biodiversity, fauna, and flora, and people, who breathe smoke from 3 months ago"
Thus, in the last hours, flames were registered again and the images were shared on social networks by netizens.
Argentinian government and environmentalists point out that the origin of the fire is from 'agribusiness'. In other words, it is believed that the foci are generated to clear the wilderness and expand monoculture - mainly soybean - or livestock activity.
Environmentalists explain that fires are transferred to the city adding to the pandemic, "devastates one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet."
In this sense, they remember that these ecosystems retain polluting nutrients, store carbon by slowing down climate change, retain floods, and prevent flooding in cities below, among other functions.
The mayor of Rosario, Pablo Javkin, claims that the fires are intentional. Social networks have criticized the government of the neighboring province for not properly controlling it, and asked the Justice "to put those responsible in jail."
In turn, the Argentinian Environment Minister, Juan Cabandié, reproached the lack of judicial speed to act on time: "There is no more place for slowness or the defense of spurious interests".
On the other hand, from the province of Santa Fe, they are gathering signatures to promote the debate on the Wetlands Law in Congress and protect these natural spaces throughout the country. It is legislation raised by environmental groups for many years, but which was never passed.
The Paraná Delta is home to 700 species of vegetables and 543 species of vertebrates, while its great wealth of birds, with 260 species, represents 31 percent of the avifauna of Argentina. It is urgently necessary to advance in the protection of this valuable ecosystem.
SOUNDBITE: JUAN CABANDIE, Minister of Environment of Argentina
"If the justice system calls for an investigation and punishes those responsible within the framework of the Law, the joke that causes so much damage to biodiversity, fauna, and flora, and people, who breathe smoke from 3 months ago"