Chiquitania - Paradise at Risk
The Chiquitano dry forest is an ecosystem that connects South America's two largest biomes,
the Amazon and the Gran Chaco, a dense, dry forest of thorn-covered trees and scrubs that
extends south into Paraguay and Brazil. More than 20% of the Chiquitania is under the cover of
protected areas. However, more than 4 million hectares suffered the direct or indirect impact of
indiscriminate logging, land trafficking, illegal invasions, agricultural frontier expansion and
forest fires. Renowned journalist, Roberto Navia, has visited this region of Bolivia's Eastern
lowlands on several occasions and has witnessed the enormous challenges the Chiquitania
faces today.