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Illegal logging threatens ancient Guaitecas cypress in Chilean reserve

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The National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) filed a complaint with the Cochrane Prosecutor's Office for the illegal cutting of Guaitecas cypresses and other native species in the Katalalixar National Reserve, in the commune of Tortel, Aysén Region.

After navigating through the fjords and channels of the southern zone and 45 minutes from Caleta Tortel, public officials were able to access the site of the violation, where damage to 75 individuals over an area of 0.80 hectares was confirmed. The logging primarily targeted the native Guaitecas cypress (Pilgerodendron uviferum), but also evergreen species such as coihue (Nothofagus dombeyi), mañío (Podocarpus nubigenus), and tepú (Tepualia stipularis), without a management plan previously approved by CONAF, as established by Law No. 20,283 on Native Forest Recovery and Forestry Promotion.

Additionally, other evergreen species such as coihue, mañío, and tepú were affected. The scale of the damage is considerable, as some of the felled trees are estimated to have been over 500 years old.

Authorities have not yet identified the offender, but the severity of the environmental impact has prompted close collaboration between CONAF, the Prosecutor's Office, and the PDI (Investigative Police) to pursue this and other environmental crimes. The public can contribute to protecting the country's native vegetation by reporting violations through CONAF's website or at their offices.