What was Lihué Calel National Park before it became a park, and who was in charge of it?
Before becoming Lihué Calel National Park, the area was mainly used for agricultural purposes, particularly as a livestock ranch. The land belonged to the Colonia Menonita La Pampa for several decades. The Menonites are a German-speaking Christian community known for their agricultural practices.
In the early 2000s, due to conflicts and concerns over land use and conservation, the Argentine government decided to acquire the land and protect it as a national park. The process was initiated by the National Parks Administration (Administración de Parques Nacionales or APN), the government entity responsible for preserving and managing national parks in Argentina.
The creation of Lihué Calel National Park was officially announced in 2008, expanding protected areas in the country and ensuring the conservation of its unique ecosystems and biodiversity.