Ayoreo people report illegal palo santo logging in Médanos del Chaco

The Ayoreo people of Paraguay are reporting the illegal logging and theft of tons of palo santo wood within the Médanos del Chaco National Park and the Punie Pipeogai property. Ronald Picanerai, representing the Unión de Nativos Ayoreos del Paraguay (UNAP), stated that intruders have entered the territory to loot the timber, which is likely being sold to third parties.

The palo santo tree (Plectrocarpa sarmientoi) is a characteristic species of the Chaco region and is currently classified as threatened on the IUCN Red List. It is also protected under Appendix II of CITES due to commercial exploitation pressures.

These environmental violations are occurring while legislative debates continue regarding potential modifications to laws that would allow hydrocarbon and mining projects within the protected area. The influx of unauthorized individuals poses a threat to both the Chaco's biodiversity and the survival of Ayoreo groups living in isolation.