The INRA reports that 9.8 million hectares have been affected by fires; 61% are forests.

 The national director of the National Institute of Agrarian Reform (INRA) reported that, as of October 8, 9.8 million hectares have been affected by wildfires across the country. The report states that 61% of the fires are concentrated in forested areas.

According to the report, Santa Cruz is the most affected department with 68% of burn scars, while Beni accounts for 28%, and La Paz for 3%. These areas include 26 municipalities and 34 communities, mobilizing 1,256 firefighters nationwide to combat the fire outbreaks.

Compared to last week, the affected areas have been reduced, from 70 to 43 active fire zones. "The situation is critical, but we have made significant progress in the last week," Núñez assured.

Affected Areas

The report presented by Núñez differentiates by property type. Non-available lands, such as national parks, protected areas, and forest reserves, account for 28% of the burned hectares. Meanwhile, lands available for settlement represent 9%.

Medium-sized and business-owned properties are also heavily impacted, with 28% of burn scars on their lands, followed by indigenous territories, with 26%.

Collectively titled lands and small properties make up 5% and 2%, respectively.

Regarding the type of vegetation, Núñez reported that 61% of the affected areas correspond to forested zones, while 39% are fallow lands or grasslands.

These figures reveal that the fires are not only destroying grasslands or agricultural areas but also large stretches of forests, exacerbating the environmental situation.

The INRA also presented a historical analysis of hectares affected by wildfires in recent years. In 2019, 5.2 million hectares were burned. In 2020, the figure slightly decreased to 4.9 million, but in 2021 it dropped to 4.1 million. However, in 2022, it increased again to 4.4 million, and in 2023, it reached 6.3 million hectares. This year, 2024, has already surpassed 9.8 million hectares.

Climate change worsens the situation, according to Núñez, creating drought conditions that facilitate the spread of fires. He stressed the need to adopt productive alternatives without using fire in the agricultural and livestock sectors, such as direct seeding and agroforestry systems, to tackle the environmental challenges that affect both Bolivia and the world.

Additionally, Decree 5225 is being enforced, which strictly regulates the use of fire and suspends controlled burns in protected areas, ensuring that both the police and military strengthen the protection of these affected zones.

The INRA reports that 9.8 million hectares have been affected by fires; 61% are forests.

Comentarios

Publicar un comentario

Entradas populares de este blog

Historic Sovereign Carbon Transaction for $5 Billion Announced Through U.S. Firm

Imagen
 The U.S.-based firm Laconic Infrastructure Partners announced on Wednesday that it had received a request from the Government of Bolivia to use its SADAR platform. This platform will enable Bolivia to generate economic revenue from the conservation of its forests, rivers, and other ecosystems. These funds will be directed toward achieving the country’s climate goals, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The announcement, published on the specialized platform PR Newswire, explained that by using Laconic’s carbon securitization platform, large-scale environmental data streams will be aggregated to monetize up to $5 billion from Bolivia’s present and future carbon reserves. This marks the first benchmark sovereign carbon sale. According to PR Newswire, SADAR is an innovative tool designed to measure and assess a country’s “natural capital,” encompassing all its natural resources. By assigning economic value to these resources, the platform can attract investments for ...
Leer más

The Story of Miguel Terceros, the "Kid from the Villa" Who Inspires a Nation

Imagen
 FIFA conducted an interview with the Santos and Bolivia national team player ahead of their match against Colombia. He spoke about his beginnings in football and the challenge of getting Bolivia back to the World Cup. Miguel Terceros, the young Bolivian midfielder, has begun to make his mark on international football. In a recent interview with FIFA, Terceros shared his unique journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the brightest prospects for the national team. Trained at Brazil’s Santos, the same club that produced legends like Pelé and Neymar, Miguel is determined to lead Bolivia to new heights in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. From a very young age, Miguel showed his passion for football. “I started when I was five or six, playing on my neighborhood field,” he recalled. His father, who saw him play, became his first scout and encouraged him to pursue his dream. "His father, acting as a scout, gave the first push to Terceros’ football adventure. Close to home...
Leer más

With 10 Players, Bolivia Defeats Colombia and Excites the Fans

Imagen
 Bolivia defeated Colombia on Thursday afternoon in the ninth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, at the Municipal Stadium of Villa Ingenio in El Alto. La Verde played with 10 players due to Cuéllar's expulsion in the first half. The winning goal was scored by Miguelito Terceros in the 58th minute of the match, following a deep throw-in that the Santos player took advantage of brilliantly. This result marks La Verde’s third consecutive victory, temporarily placing them in fifth position in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Colombia had several chances to equalize, but goalkeeper Billy Viscarra remained alert. Bolivia secured their third victory under coach Villegas, achieving a perfect 100% record. The result is even more remarkable as Bolivia played with 10 men from the 20th minute after Cuéllar’s expulsion. Unlike Venezuela, who were defeated 4-0 in El Alto, Colombia came to play and pressure Bolivia, creating scoring opportunities both in the first half a...
Leer más