CONAF celebrates 56 years in Los Lagos and begins historic transition towards Sernafor

In the context of its fifty-sixth anniversary, the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) highlights the drastic reduction of wildfires in the region and prepares the transfer of national parks to the new Biodiversity Service.

The National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) commemorates this Wednesday, May 13, its 56 years of institutional life. The date marks the beginning of a profound transformation with the creation of the National Forestry Service (SERNAFOR).

Fernando Gebhard, regional director of CONAF in Los Lagos, highlighted the pride of belonging to an entity born in May 1970. The institution has consolidated decades of work in protection, conservation, and sustainable management of natural resources.

"We are celebrating 56 years of protecting Chile's forests and building a permanent relationship with the citizenry," stated the regional authority. The commemoration includes an official ceremony and recognition of employees with up to 45 years of service.

Historic reduction of wildfires in the region

During the last season, the Los Lagos Region recorded positive figures in fire control. The occurrence of wildfires dropped from an average of 283 to only 107 cases recorded in the recent period.

Regarding the affected area, the damage decreased from over 1,000 hectares in the last five-year period to just 106 hectares. Gebhard attributed these results to preventive work and coordination with Firefighters, the Army, and Senapred.

Additionally, in the last five years, more than 5,000 hectares have been forested and reforested in the area. This work has been carried out mainly with small and medium-sized forest owners in the region.

The path towards SERNAFOR and the SBAP

The institution is currently facing an administrative division process under the new laws 21,600 and 21,744. The department of protected wilderness areas and its park rangers will be transferred to the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Service (SBAP).

This specific transfer must be completed before July 31, with the parks and reserves moving to the Ministry of the Environment. Meanwhile, the new SERNAFOR will remain under the administration of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The new forestry service will retain critical areas such as fire protection and the forest and climate change department. It will also maintain inspection and environmental evaluation functions throughout the entire territory.

Inspection remains a priority, especially regarding complaints about illegal logging of native wood. In the region, permanent controls are carried out on highways to verify the legal origin of products.

Protected species such as the Alerce are subject to strict surveillance to prevent unauthorized extraction. "All transported native wood must come from a management plan approved by the corporation," Gebhard recalled.

Regarding firewood use, CONAF promotes the consumption of certified dry firewood to reduce pollution. The entity works with local producers to encourage drying structures and improve fuel quality in the market.

This anniversary marks the end of a historic cycle to make way for a forestry institutionality that seeks to be more robust and modern in the face of climate challenges.