Guyra Paraguay hands over a historic transfer of land ownership to the Indigenous Mbya Guaran

8 JUNE 2023



In a remarkable act of conservation, empowerment and belonging, Guyra Paraguay, has transferred 548 hectares of land to the Indigenous Community of Tapy Kanguekua - Arroyo Morotí, belonging to the Mbya Guaraní people in the Itapúa Department of Paraguay.


This momentous transfer was officially celebrated on Monday, June 5th, at Tekoha Guazu, known to non-indigenous people as the San Rafael National Park Reserve, located in the district of Alto Verá. This place was declared the second Important Bird and Biodioversity Area (IBA) in the Americas back in 2005 by BirdLife International.

Ten years ago, Guyra Paraguay acquired these lands from a private landholder for environmental conservation purposes thanks to the support of BirdLife International, the Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation and Hans Swegen, who played a crucial role in facilitating the land acquisition.

Now, the land title is transfer back to its original guardians and owners. It is the first time a private entity has taken such approach to honour the ancestral land rights of indigenous people in the country. This agreement is a testament to their unwavering dedication to the cause of preserving the natural heritage.



More:
https://www.birdlife.org/news/2023/06/08/guyra-paraguay-hands-over-a-historic-transfer-of-land-ownership-to-the-indigenous-mbya-guarani/