Tragedy struck Los Alerces National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Argentina, as a massive fire ravaged approximately 600 hectares of its pristine landscape. The blaze, which overwhelmed firefighters on Sunday, has been officially attributed to arson.
Ignacio Torres, the governor of Chubut Province, confirmed the intentional nature of the fire after personally inspecting the affected area. \"We have confirmed that the fire originated intentionally,\" Torres stated, emphasizing the need for swift legal action against those responsible. He called for \"exemplary measures\" to ensure justice is served.
In previous statements, Governor Torres pointed fingers at the Mapuche Ancestral Resistance (RAM), a marginal indigenous group advocating against logging and claiming ancestral lands taken by the state in the 19th century. \"The problem is not indigenous people but these criminals who take land under false flags… I think it is time to put a definitive stop to it,\" he remarked during an earlier radio interview.
The devastating fire not only threatens the rich biodiversity of Los Alerces but also highlights the ongoing tensions between environmental conservation efforts and the activities of groups like RAM. As authorities investigate further, the call for accountability and enhanced protective measures for national parks grows louder.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
