The emblematic Formosa wetland is experiencing a critical ecological situation of environmental crisis due to the drastic reduction of water flow and the advancement of water diversion projects in Paraguay.

A scenario of ecological emergency is currently affecting various sectors of Bañado La Estrella, one of the most significant water ecosystems in Argentina and the subcontinent.

The marked environmental crisis in Bañado La Estrella has recently manifested through a massive mortality of native fauna, including specimens of caimans and various species of fish, which perish when trapped in swampy areas deprived of oxygen and adequate water levels for their survival.

The origin of this phenomenon dates back to the hydraulic interventions carried out decades ago. The administration of the province of Formosa implemented at the time the so-called “Pantalón Project“, an engineering work designed to artificially channel the waters of the Pilcomayo River towards Argentine territory, allowing the seasonal flooding of the wetland.

However, this model has shown critical vulnerabilities: with the decrease in water flow, the system fragments, isolating the fauna and causing recurring natural disasters that worsen over the years.

International disputes and the risk of disappearance

The issue has escalated to the diplomatic level in recent months. The Republic of Paraguay has formalized claims against the diversion works carried out on the Argentine side and has announced plans to implement a new upstream channeling project.

This initiative seeks to direct the Pilcomayo River’s course directly towards Paraguayan soil to regulate sediments and flows in its Chaco region.

If this work materializes in the neighboring country, the environmental crisis in Bañado La Estrella could become irreversible. By losing its main source of water supply, the Formosa wetland faces a real risk of total disappearance, which would permanently alter the geography and ecosystem of the region.

Multidimensional impact: Biodiversity, society, and economy

The consequences of the degradation of this ecosystem extend across three main fronts:

1. Natural Heritage: The survival of hundreds of bird and reptile species depends on the water balance of the wetland, which is currently fractured.

2. Community Livelihood: Numerous indigenous settlements and rural communities base their economy and food supply on fishing and the resources provided by the wetland.

3. Tourist Activity: As a destination of international relevance, the deterioration of the landscape and fauna directly impacts regional income derived from ecotourism.

The Pilcomayo River, characterized by its high sediment load and unpredictable behavior, continues to be the center of friction between Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia.

Experts agree that the viability of the Bañado La Estrella depends on the urgent creation of binational policies for sustainable management.

Without solid international cooperation and hydraulic planning that prioritizes ecological resilience, this valuable biodiversity sanctuary is heading towards a point of no return.