In just over 100 years, Argentina has suffered a staggering 70 percent deforestation. Forest destruction has accelerated in the past 10 years with the boom of soy crops.
The northern province of Salta alone lost 26 percent of its forests in the past 30 years, according to a study by the College of Agronomics at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA). The UBA study found that in 2007, “the highest rate was reached: 2.1 percent of forests destroyed in a single year.”
Forests that spread across 100 million hectares (247 million acres) in 1900 have dwindled to 33.19 million hectares (82 million acres), officials said.
“In 100 years, we have lost between 60 and 70 percent of our forest heritage,” Environmental Undersecretary Sergio La Rocca told reporters on Friday.
Buenos Aires will host the 23rd World Forestry Congress October 18-23, a forum where governments, civil society and the private sector exchange views to formulate forestry policy.
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