Deforestation has become overwhelming

This is a brief update, as we are currently overwhelmed by the wave of deforestation currently affecting the Chaco and the Indians we work with. Applications are being presented by land owners at an unprecedented rate as a new law banning deforestation is due to come into effect next month. Our monitoring of the situation indicates that during 2007 the provincial government of Salta has received applications for deforestation on properties that cover over a million acres.

The ASOCIANA team has been completely overstretched as we seek to respond to endless requests fro help form communities and other organizations. The situation has become extreme, with folk, including Church pastors, literally having to stand in front of bulldozers. It is therefore difficult to sit down and write a coherent report at this particular time. We just ask that you hold this situation up in prayer at this time.

A crude map, indicating approaximate location of some of the Indian communities we work with near Tartagal, and the outline of properties that we know are due to be deforested (there are more yet to be identified). To give some idea of scale The map covers an area of 90 by 70 miles approximately.

The follwing are pictures of bulldozersat work, 20 kilometrs east of Tartagal