Reserva de recursos manejados San Rafael, Protected area in southeastern Paraguay.
The San Rafael Reserve is a 73,000 hectare protected area in Atlantic Forest with various habitats containing hardwood trees and medicinal plants. The territory includes marked trails that pass through different forest sections and offer wildlife viewing opportunities.
The area was established as a national park in 1992 and reclassified as a managed reserve in 2002 due to private land ownership issues. This change reflected the challenge of protecting the land while respecting existing property rights.
The Mbya Guarani communities use the area for hunting, fishing, and cultivating corn and cassava in traditional ways. You can see their presence in cleared fields and paths that wind through the forest.
The area is accessible year-round and offers marked trails for hiking and bird watching. Visitors should expect wet and slippery conditions in the forest, especially during rainy periods.
The area hosts around 392 bird species, including Paraguay's national bird, while serving as a critical water source for two major rivers. This combination makes it especially important for both bird study and regional water supply.
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