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Iguazu Waterfalls Remain Under The Ownership Of Paraná Following Court Decision. Dispute Involves Union, National Park, Record Tourism, And Environmental Preservation
The Iguazu Waterfalls have always been one of the most visited destinations in Brazil and attract tourists from all over the world. Now, in addition to their natural beauty, the subject has also gained prominence in the courts, according to a report published.
The reason? The confirmation that the land where they are located remains under the ownership of the State of Paraná. This decision was recognized by the court and brought new chapters in a dispute that has been dragging on for years between the Paraná government and the Union.
The issue goes beyond the legal question. It involves tourism, environmental preservation, economic development, and even how the management of this heritage will be conducted.
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With impressive numbers of visitors and a direct importance to the regional economy, the Waterfalls are at the center of a discussion that sparks curiosity and interest throughout the country.
Find out how the court arrived at this decision, the role of the Iguazu National Park, the impact on tourism, and what the possible next steps in this dispute are.
Court Recognizes Registration In Name Of Paraná
The Iguazu Waterfalls remain officially linked to Paraná because the Federal Regional Court of the 4th Region (TRF-4) recognized the land registration in the name of the State as legitimate. This recognition occurred in February of this year, after an analysis of the case.
Since that decision, conciliation hearings have been held by the TRF-4 Conciliations Sector, with the participation of the State and the Union.
The goal was to find a definitive understanding regarding the management of the area. However, there was no progress, as the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), which represents the federal government, did not accept the agreement.
According to the Attorney General’s Office of the State (PGE-PR), the idea was to establish a clear division of responsibilities for oversight and monitoring.
However, the Union argues that future discussions should only occur in possible phases of compliance with decisions in higher courts.
Iguazu National Park And The Involved Territory
The land of the Iguazu Waterfalls is part of the Iguazu National Park, an area that spans about 1,085 hectares.
To make visualization easier, this is equivalent to approximately 1,520 soccer fields. This space includes not only the waterfalls but also the famous Hotel das Cataratas, known for hosting visitors from different parts of the world.
The legal discussion, therefore, has a direct reflection on the administration of this territory. Paraná seeks to maintain legitimacy over the area, while the Union considers it to be federal vacant land.
The main point of this dispute is to determine who has the legal responsibility to conduct the preservation and tourism management of the park.
It is worth remembering that the origin of this controversy dates back to 2018, when the Union filed a lawsuit requesting the cancellation of registration 35,598 from the Foz do Iguaçu Registry. The argument was that the land belonged to the Union.
The State, in turn, presented documents proving that the area was granted in 1910 by the Ministry of War to a private party and acquired by Paraná in 1919, with a duly registered deed.
Tourism On The Rise And Record Numbers
The Iguazu Waterfalls are not just a natural heritage. They also represent one of the engines of national and international tourism in the Southern Region Of Brazil.
To give you an idea, in August of this year, the Iguazu National Park recorded the highest monthly volume of visitors in its history: nearly 156,000 tourists from 115 different nationalities visited the site. This number surpassed the previous record, set in 2019.
So far this year, the park has already welcomed 1.32 million visitors, which represents a growth of 10.81% compared to the same period in 2024.
Among the visitors, there are not only foreigners. Brazilians from all states marked their presence, reinforcing the park’s importance for domestic tourism.
These numbers demonstrate how the management definition of the territory has a direct impact on the tourism sector. The increase in visitors boosts the local economy, generates jobs, and strengthens Brazil’s image on the international stage.
At the same time, it increases the need for organization and oversight to ensure that tourism activities occur in balance with environmental preservation.
Next Steps In The Dispute Between Union And Paraná
The future of the ownership of the Iguazu Waterfalls land may still have new chapters. Despite Paraná’s victory in the TRF-4, the Union, represented by ICMBio, maintains its position to contest the decision in higher courts. This means that legal proceedings may continue in new instances.
In the meantime, Paraná claims it will continue to defend the legitimacy of the registration and seeks a solution that allows for greater clarity in management.
The statement from the state attorney general, Luciano Borges, summarizes the situation: there was an opening for dialogue, but there was no consensus with the federal government.
The discussion is not limited to the legal field. The outcome of this clash will also have practical repercussions on the definition of responsibilities regarding monitoring, oversight and even strategies to maintain the balance between tourism and environmental conservation in the Iguazu National Park.
É preciso fazer uma parceria estratégica estado e federal ainda mais que as cataratas são estratégica e de interesse dos dois lados ainda mais que o Paraná é um ende federativo brasileiro responde a Brasília sede federal… Outro ponto importante é que encontra-se em cima de uma fronteira internacional e fica a cargo do Brasil da defesa nacional fazer a segurança exército aeronáutica e marinha. Então é uma situação difícil porque as fronteiras internacionais são competência do Brasil está escrito na constituição federal de 88