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Over 70% of Chile's Native Forest is on Private Land: Challenges and Opportunities for Conservation

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• This scenario highlights the importance of initiatives such as the Conservation Easement (DRC).

Chile is home to approximately 14.7 million hectares of native forest, representing 19.5% of its total land area. Surprisingly, over 70% of these forests are located on privately owned properties, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for biodiversity conservation in the country.

Chile's native forests host a rich diversity of species, from majestic mammals like the puma and the huemul to small invertebrates and microorganisms that coexist in these unique ecosystems. However, managing these privately held areas is crucial to ensuring their long-term preservation.

Camilo González, operations manager at Genau Green, emphasizes the importance of innovation in private landowners' relationship with the natural environment: "Today, there are several private conservation initiatives underway, but there is still much empty space. With 70% of native forests in private hands, it becomes essential for them to innovate in new ways of interacting with the natural world."

According to González, this percentage not only reflects the reality of native forests in Chile but also serves as a call to action. Conservation, more than an activity of non-intervention, requires an ethic of responsibility toward the natural environment.

"These numbers reveal the codependency between humans and nature and the inevitable need for constant improvement in this relationship," he adds.

To support private landowners in their conservation efforts, the Conservation Easement (DRC) serves as an effective legal tool. This environmental encumbrance is attached to a property, defining and restricting permitted activities to protect biodiversity.

"The adoption of this law in Chile marks a significant milestone in the evolution of legal tools for environmental conservation because it restricts activities that, historically and without real regulatory frameworks, have degraded the natural resources of Chile's fields and forests," explains González.

Despite progress, the implementation of the Native Forest Law, enacted in 2008, has faced several obstacles. The need for greater financial resources and the difficulty of balancing conservation interests with those of private landowners are among the most notable challenges.

"There have been major advances in legislation, the creation of protected areas, and genuine concern from the private sector, but much remains to be done. Millions of hectares of land still need protection through new initiatives," concludes González.

The conservation of Chile's native forests, mostly in private hands, requires active collaboration between the public sector and landowners to ensure these valuable ecosystems are protected and restored for future generations.

Source:24horas.cl