(From BirdLife)
Guyra Paraguay (BirdLife in Paraguay) has been recognized by one of the country’s leading newspapers, Ultima Hora, as one of the top Paraguayan institutions of 2007.
Guyra Paraguay was one of 11 individuals/organizations recognized by the newspaper (and selected by its journalists) for their positive contribution to Paraguayan society. This award has been given in recognition of Guyra Paraguay’s struggle to preserve the country’s natural resources and biodiversity, often in the face of great adversity. In fact, in the course of its work, Guyra Paraguay has had the lives of its staff threatened, their offices bombed, and one of their vehicles burned.
In just 10 years of existence, Guyra Paraguay has acheived some notable accomplishments and developed into a conservation leader on the national and international stage.
Between 2002 and 2005, Guyra Paraguay identified and mapped the country’s 57 Important Bird Areas (IBAs), and devised a remote sensing-based monitoring protocol for them. The next big challenge is to conserve these IBAs and protect the biodiversity that they hold.
A strong start has been made. San Rafael, one of the first IBAs in South America, is no longer not just a park on paper. Guyra Paraguay has acquired more than 6,000 hectares in this important last remnant of Atlantic Forest in Paraguay. In the world-renowned Pantanal, 15,000 hectares have been protected in this important transboundary IBA. Also 3,500 hectares in the Dry Chaco region is now being conserved.
“This important work has been made possible with the support of several international organizations and this award extends to them as well,” says Alberto Yanosky, CEO of Guyra Paraguay.