Analysis of the recently enacted law for the protection of native forests in Argentina

MINAVERRY, CLARA MARIA

Seúl

Congreso; XXIII IUFRO World Congress; 2010

International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO)

Law N° 26.331 was published on the Official Gazette of Argentina on December 26th, 2007, and has 44 sections and one Annex. The minimum of native forest protection was established in this law, but any Province of Argentina can set higher standards than the ones mentioned here. In general terms, each Province have the obligation to prepare a Territorial Planning Report describing all their existing native forests, and classify them in accordance with its environmental values and the environmental services which they can provide. Bearing in mind the present situation of these resources in Argentina, which were qualified as of forest emergency because of the significant degradation on the ecosystems, we hope that this law could be efficient. Undoubtedly, this law represents a new opportunity to make a contribution to the native forest area, and to promote sustainable development in our society. Finally, Scientific Institutions should have an active role in order to achieve this law´s objectives.