In the heart of Canindeyú Department, the Pozuelo Natural Reserve has emerged as a key bastion for the conservation of the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest (BAAPA), one of South America's most threatened ecosystems. Established in 2014 by a resolution of Itaipú Binacional's executive board, the reserve covers 5,521 hectares of forests, hills, wetlands, and islands along the Itaipú Lake, according to a report by Ultima Hora.
Located between the districts of Nueva Esperanza and Puerto Adela, over 200 kilometers from Hernandarias, Pozuelo is part of the Itaipú Biosphere Reserve. It protects critical water resources that feed the hydroelectric dam's reservoir, essential for renewable energy generation. The area features the Salto Itambeymi waterfall and extensive forested corridors that support wildlife.
Reserve manager Laura Lombardo told Ultima Hora that the primary goal is to consolidate Pozuelo as a fully conserved and ecologically restored biological corridor. “What we seek as a protected area, our greatest vision, is to consolidate it as a biological corridor, a totally conserved and ecologically restored area, thus becoming a corridor example of management and stewardship,” she said.
Lombardo emphasized the need for community involvement, noting that protection requires support from neighboring communities, educational institutions, law enforcement, and firefighters. The reserve also serves as a strategic site for scientific research, including biodiversity studies and water quality monitoring in the wetlands and reservoir.
Despite its resilience, the BAAPA ecosystem faces ongoing deforestation pressures. Pozuelo remains a vital sanctuary for flora and fauna characteristic of this forest type, underscoring Itaipú's commitment to environmental sustainability.