Forest clearing is carried out to raise cattle, resulting in the loss of one-third of Paraguay's forests this century. Despite previous reports, the situation has not improved. The Chaco, home to Indigenous communities such as the Ayoreo Totobiegosode—one of the last uncontacted communities in Latin America—faces ongoing land invasions by agribusiness companies and Mennonite colonies. These activities severely impact biodiversity and the rights of Indigenous communities, who are fighting to protect their territories. The investigation also highlights the challenges of tracing the origin of leather due to a lack of transparency in Paraguay. In response, some Italian tanneries, such as Pasubio, have begun committing not to buy leather linked to deforestation, though the industry remains opaque and difficult to regulate.
Illustration: Drone view of the road that separates Filadelfia from Campo Loro in the Paraguayan Chaco. The deforested areas used mainly for cattle ranching can be seen, as well as green areas of native forest. Photo by Pablo Linietsky.
IMPACT
Following the publications, the Paraguayan Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADES) has issued a statement denying the findings. Read more here.
