Environmental authorities have intensified the controls against poaching in Lake Urugua-íThis is part of a broader surveillance operation for this protected area. The deployment combines patrols by water and land, as well as coordinated actions with security forces to reduce the pressure of illegal activities on the ecosystem.
In recent days, the following took place specific operations in the Urugua-í Lake Protected Landscapewhere dilapidated artisanal boats, hidden nets, and makeshift camps were found. These interventions, according to environmental officials, aim to curb practices that harm fish populations, and endangered species, to the flora associated with the lake's perimeter and to the overall balance of the environment.
Joint operation against illegal fishing in Lake Urugua-í
Park rangers of Urugua-í Lake Protected LandscapePersonnel from the Ministry of Ecology conducted a patrol alongside staff from the Environmental Protection and Rural Crimes Directorate of the Environmental Police. The main objective of this deployment was prevent illegal activities linked to poaching and strengthen the protection of the area's natural resources.
The operation was carried out using the official vessel of the Ministry of EcologyThis allowed for coverage of a large area of the lake and access to zones difficult to reach by land. During navigation and inspections, the focus was on areas where nets, abandoned boats, and makeshift camps are commonly found.
During this patrol, the agents found three homemade wooden boatsThe vessels were found abandoned, in precarious condition, and with clear signs of having been used for illegal fishing. Given this situation, and following established protocols for items used in illegal activities, the vessels were destroyed.
In addition to the boats, the personnel seized two fishing nets which, together, totaled approximately 100 meters in length. This type of large-scale fishing gear is often used indiscriminately, capturing species without selection and generating a direct impact on the fish populations of Lake Urugua-í.
They were also detected in areas near the water. makeshift campsites with remains of campfires, trash, and fish scalesThis reinforces the presumption that the area is used as a base for illegal fishing. These elements, in addition to evidencing the illegal activity, leave traces of environmental degradation associated with the accumulation of waste and the uncontrolled use of fire.
The entire procedure was coordinated between park rangers and Environmental Police, within the framework of a preventative strategy that seeks not only to confiscate illicit items, but also to deter potential offenders and maintain a constant presence at critical points in the protected area.
Expanded environmental controls in Lake Urugua-í and protected areas
In parallel with these specific operations, the Ministry of Ecology has launched broader environmental control measures These efforts also encompass Lake Urugua-í and other protected areas. They include patrols, monitoring of forest cover, and increased surveillance in anticipation of the peak fire season.
During the last week, the following was carried out two environmental control operations with deployments by land and water to prevent illegal activities and, at the same time, reduce the risks associated with forest fires. Lake Urugua-í and protected areas in the central and southern parts of the province were among the priority areas.
These interventions involved park rangers, police officers and firefighterswho toured areas sensitive due to their high biodiversity value. The idea is to discourage any illegal activity that could damage the native fauna and floraboth in the aquatic environment and in the surrounding forests.
The Ecology department emphasizes that these types of controls aim to protect natural resources and to strengthen the institutional presence at times of the year when pressures on the territory increase, whether due to poaching, illegal hunting or poorly managed rural fires.
Within this strategy, the native forests and provincial parks They are listed as priorities, given that they contain large areas of high ecological value habitats, wildlife corridors and key bodies of water such as Lake Urugua-í.
Extensive patrols and seizure of illegal networks
One of the most notable deployments took place on a recent Friday, when park rangers from Urugua-í Lake Protected Landscape and from the Puerto Península Provincial Park, with the support of the Environmental Police, carried out a wide preventive tour focused on the control of poaching.
The procedure involved approximately 90 kilometers of water patrol and some 200 kilometers of land routescovering both the water surface and the surrounding lake area and access roads. The main objective was to locate illegal fishing nets, suspicious vessels, and other elements linked to illicit activities.
As a result of this operation, the staff managed to seize approximately 1.500 meters of fishing nets of varying sizes. These large fishing gears, when set clandestinely, pose a direct threat to numerous species, as they capture fish of different sizes and can affect protected specimens.
During the same operation, the following were confiscated: inflated chambers used for illegal huntingThis demonstrates that the pressure on the area is not limited to poaching, but also extends to terrestrial wildlife. These types of devices are used to float or move silently, facilitating access to hard-to-reach areas.
The agents also proceeded to destroy a wooden boat used for illicit activitiesIn order to prevent its reuse in further illegal fishing operations, the confiscated nets were transported and stored at the Lake Urugua-í outpost, following established procedures for handling seized items.
This environmental control operation sought, in essence, to curb illegal fishing and mitigate its impact on species and habitats of the lake and its surroundings. In addition, the actions served to reinforce the care of the lake's perimeter, a space where recreational activities, conservation and productive uses converge.
Among the most relevant aspects of the deployment are the following: constant water patrols, extensive land journeys, the hijacking of illegal networks and the ongoing coordination with the provincial security forcesThis combination of efforts allows us to cover a wide territory and react quickly to any discovery of irregular activities.
Aerial surveillance and fire prevention in the area surrounding the lake
Complementing the controls by water and land, the environmental authorities launched aerial monitoring to assess the state of the forests and detect fire outbreaks in their early stages. This aerial component has become especially relevant in a context of extreme fire alert in the region.
In one of these operations, a comprehensive flight was carried out aboard a police helicopterThe mission, which involved agents specializing in forest conservation and control, consisted of flying over native forests, protected areas, and zones of influence of Lake Urugua-í and other parks, in order to identify plumes of smoke or hotspots.
The following participated in the flyover park rangers and firefightersThe team, along with forestry engineers and technical staff responsible for risk assessment, recorded flight paths and points of interest, generating useful information for planning future monitoring and coordinating potential fire responses.
During the aerial inspection, only the following were detected: three small columns of smokeThe fires were allegedly linked to the burning of crop residue on rural properties. No large active fires were identified, although vigilance was maintained due to the possibility of rapid changes in weather conditions.
The preliminary diagnosis revealed that the Areas of jungle maintained a good level of humidityThis helps reduce the risk of fire in these areas. In contrast, the situation in the grassland areas was more delicate, as is typical for the time of year, although still within manageable parameters thanks to the presence of fire crews on active duty.
Taken together, these air, sea, and land operations constitute a comprehensive conservation and prevention strategy which aims to curb poaching, illegal hunting, and fires around Lake Urugua-í and other protected areas. The combination of seizures, destruction of illicit items, and constant monitoring strengthens the protection of a natural environment that, despite its apparent isolation, is subject to multiple human pressures.
