Communities and Sectors Affected by Fires Demand Repeal of Laws Promoting Burnings

 Bolivia Faces Alarming Destruction of Rural Areas and Forests Due to 'Chaqueo', Warns Jubileo Foundation

Bolivia is suffering from alarming destruction of its rural territories and forests, caused by the practice of 'chaqueo' (slash-and-burn farming), primarily driven by agricultural and livestock expansion, warned the Jubileo Foundation.

The extractivist model, supported by policies and laws that prioritize short-term growth, is putting the environmental balance, the health of our communities, and the future of coming generations at serious risk, concluded residents and producers from the national Amazon region.

During the meeting, communities from Beni and other affected regions of the country demanded that national and departmental authorities repeal laws and other related regulations “that encourage the practice of 'chaqueo', an activity causing massive forest destruction, air and water source pollution, the displacement of peoples and communities, and the acceleration of climate change.”

The Jubileo Foundation pointed out that laws such as Law 741 and others that promote the use of fire for agricultural expansion have facilitated these destructive practices.

“It is urgent that authorities take responsibility and repeal these laws that continue to damage the environment and endanger the health and well-being of Bolivians,” they emphasized.

The consequences of these fires are devastating: air pollution has reached critical levels. The destruction of forests not only irreversibly threatens and reduces biodiversity but also worsens climate change, contributing to rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and other extreme weather events affecting the country, they stressed.

Demanded Measures

The communities affected by the fires indicated six key points that must be addressed to prevent fires from becoming a chronic issue in the country. The demands include:

    Declaration of a national disaster.

    Immediate repeal of laws and other related regulations that promote 'chaqueo' and burnings in rural areas.

    Implementation of sustainable policies that promote fire-free agricultural practices that respect the environment.

    Immediate and effective action by national and departmental authorities to protect ecosystems and affected communities.

    Compensation for communities affected by the loss of their natural resources and the health damage caused by air pollution.

    Establishment of legal and reparative responsibilities for the destruction of ecosystems and the impact on peoples and communities.

Jubileo noted that if immediate measures are not taken, the destruction of forests and lands will be irreversible. Communities in Beni and other regions of the country, which depend directly on the land for their livelihoods, face an uncertain future where environmental degradation translates into poverty, forced migration, and a loss of quality of life.

“The long-term effects of these fires will resonate throughout Bolivia, endangering the country’s food security and ecological stability,” the institution emphasized.