Striking the Balance: Nature & Economic Development in Bolivia

The New York Times just reported that in the last six years over 4 million acres of land in Bolivia have been deforested. It is projected that by 2025 a devastating 14 million acres of forest could be cleared in Bolivia alone.*

Nature and Culture International in collaboration with its Bolivian partner, Natura Bolivia are making a difference.

On Friday, February 24, it was announced by Nature and Culture International’s partner, Natura Bolivia, that the 280,000 acre Parapetí protected area has been established. Located in southeast Bolivia, this protected area will conserve Bolivian montane forests, a unique landscape and habitat for mammals including the spectacled bear the world’s second most endangered bear species, Geoffroy’s cat, lowland tapir, jaguar and many more.

In 2016, Natura Bolivia announced the establishment of the 600,000+ acre Heroes of the Chaco Reserve in southern Bolivia. Nature and Culture International and Natura Bolivia are looking to establish even more protected areas. These conservation successes are vital as Bolivia faces record breaking deforestation rates.

*Rigby, C., Tabuchi, H., and White, J. (2017, February 24). Amazon Deforestation, Once Tamed, Comes Roaring Back. New York Times. p. BU1. Retrieved from https://nyti.ms/2mfLlEq