National Parks in Paraguay

The creation of National Parks in Paraguay has become a key strategy for protecting these vital ecosystems, serving not only as bastions of biodiversity but also as custodians of valuable cultural treasures. These natural reserves have been instrumental in the effort to conserve endemic flora and fauna, providing a safe haven against the threats of agricultural expansion and deforestation.

The management of protected natural areas in Paraguay has experienced significant development, signaling the country’s commitment to preserving its biological diversity and cultural heritage. The journey towards environmental conservation in Paraguay reflects a growing awareness of the need to safeguard its natural riches, spanning from the vast plains of the Chaco to the dense forests of the Atlantic, encompassing its mighty wetland systems and areas of high biodiversity.

General Characteristics of National Parks

National Parks in Paraguay are areas of immense natural and cultural richness, designated to protect the country’s unique biodiversity and its historical heritage. These protected areas host a variety of ecosystems, from dense Atlantic forests and extensive wetlands to savannas and semi-arid regions of the Chaco, providing refuge to a wide range of flora and fauna, including endangered species. National parks are essential not only for the conservation of the natural environment and scientific research but also for ecotourism and environmental education, providing spaces for sustainable recreation and learning about the importance of nature and its conservation.

How Many National Parks and Protected Areas are there in Paraguay?

According to the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development (Mades), Paraguay has a total of 62 protected wilderness areas, divided into public protected areas (32), private protected areas (21), and mixed protected areas (9). Additionally, the country has more than 12 national parks distributed across various departments. These places are characterized by their impressive natural ecosystems, where fauna and flora are carefully protected. In addition to their ecological value, many of these areas have a rich history, being the settings for epic battles.

List of National Parks in Paraguay

Importance of National Parks for Biodiversity and Culture in Paraguay

The importance of these protected areas goes beyond mere ecological conservation; they become centers for scientific research, environmental education, and ecotourism, thus promoting sustainable development that benefits both local communities and Paraguayan society as a whole. Through National Parks, Paraguay not only protects its natural heritage but also fosters a deeper connection with its cultural identity, preserving sites of historical and spiritual significance for future generations.
In this context, Paraguay’s National Parks emerge as fundamental pillars in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss, demonstrating the crucial role they play in conserving ecosystems and strengthening the country’s environmental resilience.

Total Area of Protected Areas

The total area of protected areas in Paraguay spans several thousand square kilometers, although the exact figure may vary depending on sources and changes in the designation of protected areas. These areas include national parks, nature reserves, and other conservation categories, covering significant percentages of the national territory. These protected areas are fundamental for preserving the country’s natural resources, protecting biodiversity, and maintaining crucial ecosystem services for human well-being and sustainable development.

Classification of the National System of Protected Areas

Paraguay’s National System of Protected Areas (SNAP) classifies protected areas into various categories according to conservation objectives and management regimes. This classification includes:

1. National Park: These are spaces that encompass one or more ecosystems and have as their main objective the preservation of flora, fauna, and landscapes of great scenic beauty in their natural state.
2. Managed Resource Reserves: These areas, of varying sizes, are intended for sustainable use for outdoor recreational activities and agriculture. They also serve as natural corridors for biodiversity.
3. Wildlife Refuge: Designated to ensure the continuity of species, populations, or wild habitats, their main focus is protection and they are not particularly highlighted for their recreational potential.
4. Ecological Reserves: These are regions that share characteristics with national parks, but their size or degree of alteration does not fit the international definition of this category. In some cases, they may allow limited extraction of natural resources for subsistence, under a Management Plan.
5. Natural Monuments: These areas protect specific resources of national importance, such as natural features or genetic material. They can be used for educational, research, or recreational purposes.

Each of these categories plays a vital role within the SNAP framework, ensuring the conservation of Paraguay’s natural and cultural values, promoting sustainable development, and improving the quality of life of local communities.

Wilderness Protected Areas of Paraguay

The Wilderness Protected Areas (WPAs) of Paraguay encompass any portion of the territory with natural or semi-natural characteristics, subject to specific management to conserve and enhance the country’s natural resources. The administrative authority of these areas is the Directorate of Protected Areas, which operates under the General Directorate of Protection and Conservation of Biodiversity of the Ministry of the Environment (SEAM). Additionally, this entity is also responsible for managing the National System of Protected Areas of Paraguay (SINASIP).
Paraguay is committed to environmental protection strategies, especially in the defense of key species to maintain ecological processes, with the aim of preserving resources for future generations. SEAM, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and global funds, implements the Paraguay Silvestre Project.

The country is home to around 20,000 species, both native and exotic, with 280 native species at risk of extinction. Among the most valuable tree species of native forests are lapacho, perobá, yvyrapytá, laurel, cedar, and incense.

Areas in the Western Region (Paraguayan Chaco)

The Paraguayan Chaco is a unique region that harbors a special biodiversity of flora and fauna.

1. Defensores del Chaco National Park: established in 1975, it is Paraguay’s largest reserve with 720,000 hectares. This area is dominated by a plain covered with vegetation including white quebracho, palo santo, samu’u, low forests, thorny shrubs, and various species of cactus. It is home to a varied fauna, such as felines (jaguar, puma, ocelot, oncilla), armadillos, monkeys (black howler and capuchin), peccaries, and tapirs. The Cerro León massif, a unique geological formation in the region, stands out.
2. Teniente Agripino Enciso National Park: established in 1980, with an area of 40,000 hectares, its rectangular shape facilitates the protection of its biological diversity. This park exhibits typical landscapes of the Dry Chaco, with dense, thorny, and impenetrable vegetation due to the scarce water supply. Among its characteristic trees are the white quebracho, palo santo, and samu’u. In terms of fauna, it harbors a great variety of mammals, including felines like the jaguar, as well as the three types of peccaries, with the tagua being a symbol of the area. Additionally, the area preserves trenches and trails from the Chaco War.
3. Río Negro National Park: established in 1998 with an original extension of 30,000 hectares, expanded in 2004 to 123,786 hectares, it protects ecosystems typical of the Pantanal and the Humid Chaco. It features floodable areas and Karanda’y palm groves. Designated a Ramsar Site in 1995 for being habitat for migratory birds and other wetland species. Its fauna includes the jaguar, parrots, marsh deer, maned wolf, and caimans.
4. Cerro Chovoreca Natural Monument: established in 1998, it covers 100,953 hectares with unique vegetation in the country, including shallow reddish sandy soil and tall forests with critically endangered species such as Amburana cearensis. Its fauna includes the giant anteater, jaguarundi, and various species of felines and armadillos.
5. Cerro Cabrera – Timané Natural Reserve: established in 1998 with 125,823 hectares, it includes the Timané River, an endorheic river, and the Cabrera Hill on the border with Bolivia. Its predominant vegetation is dense savanna and open forests with species such as white quebracho, samu’u, and palo santo. Its fauna includes wild felines, armadillos, anteaters, and tapirs.
6. Tinfunqué National Park: established in 1966 with 280,000 hectares, designated a Ramsar Site and on the list of internationally important wetlands, it features natural grasslands flooded during the Pilcomayo River’s high-water season, shrublands adapted to flooding, and diverse fauna such as rheas, wild ducks, storks, southern screamer, giant anteater, capybara, and caimans. Its conservation depends on wildlife and livestock.
7. Médanos del Chaco National Park: with 514,233 hectares, it stands out for its dunes with characteristic vegetation and the presence of guanacos. It is part of the SEAM’s Paraguay Silvestre Project, with support from GEF and UNDP. Park rangers operate from the administrative headquarters of the Tte. Enciso National Park.

Eastern Region

In the Eastern Region, natural areas such as the Ybycuí National Park stand out, which covers 5,000 hectares of hills and hills up to 400 meters high, as well as springs, waterfalls, and forests. This site has a historical background, as it previously housed an iron foundry in the 19th century. Among its attractions are the Corrientes stream, the Mina stream, the Guaraní Waterfall, the Mina Waterfall, and the Mbocaruzú Waterfall, among others.
Also in this region is the Cerro Corá National Park, which was the scene of the War of the Triple Alliance on March 1, 1870, where Marshal Francisco Solano López lost his life. It has a viewpoint on "Cerro Muralla," from where visitors can observe the mountain ranges surrounding the area forming a circle or corral, giving it the name "Cerro Corá."

Binational Entities

Binational entities that generate electric power collaborate in environmental conservation by creating and managing nature reserves. Itaipú promotes reserves such as Tatí Yupí, Itabó, Carapá Refuge, and Mbaracayú Refuge. On the other hand, Yacyretá also contributes to environmental conservation, managing reserves such as Antiguy and Yabebyry.