Stop fires in the Bajo Paragua rainforest

The Bajo Paragua forest of Eastern Bolivia is ground zero in the fight to save the Amazon Rainforest from logging, fire and conversion to agriculture. Intact through 2019, some 5-10% of this forest burned during the terrible fire season of 2020, spilling over from the deforestation frontier just to the south. If these trends continue, the entire forest, an area one-and-a-half times the size of Delaware, will be lost within a few years. With it will go the livelihoods and culture, the very being of the Indigenous Guarasug’we people, as well as 337,162,504 metric tons of carbon—up in smoke.

To hold the line, Rainforest Trust and our partner, Fundación Natura Bolivia, propose to work with the Guarasug’we and local governments to create the San Ignacio and Concepcion Municipal Protected Areas, safeguarding over 2 million acres of rich, lowland rainforest. Our partner will train, equip and deploy patrols and fire brigades to protect the forest and its Indigenous residents. Some additional forest loss is perhaps inevitable, but we think we can slow it down and secure the remaining forest within a few years. The burnt patches will regenerate; the Amazon will survive.

Save threatened species

Comprised of swamp, riverine and floodplain forest habitats, the Bajo Paragua is rich in Endangered Amazon species. The proposed protected areas will safeguard 1,273 species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and many charismatic large mammals. These include the Crowned Solitary Eagle (EN), Black-faced Black Spider Monkey (EN), Giant Otter (EN), Tapir (VU) and Jaguar (VU). The site also houses globally threatened timber species like Broadleaf Mahogany (VU), Umburana Do Cheiro (EN) and Spanish Cedar (VU).

A newly discovered golden bat species will also benefit from this protection. Although its conservation status is yet to be determined, it is highly likely to be classified as Endangered and endemic given its limited range and increasing habitat loss. Species numbers are still preliminary and likely to increase, as much of the biodiversity in the area is still unknown to science.

The Bajo Paragua also forms a critical corridor between two vast neighboring protected areas. Securing it will maintain an unbroken expanse of forest to Brazil.

Be a part of our impact

Urgent action is required to save the remaining forest. By helping us create the San Ignacio and Concepcion Municipal Protected Areas, your support will provide new long-term legal protection to the Bajo Paragua Forest.

Our partner’s top priority will be to work closely with the Guarasug’we to take back control of their land and forest to preserve their culture. Helping the Guarasug’we communities fight wildfires is also critical for management of this protected area. Community members will be provided annual training ahead of each fire season and equipped with water tanks and hoses.