From 2017 to 2022, Putumayo lost more than 63,000 hectares of forest, according to the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM). Despite a slight reduction in deforestation figures, every year the department loses thousands of hectares of forest. To explicitly include in the municipal and departmental Development Plans the seriousness of the problem of deforestation and the need to act to stop it; as well as to recognize the transforming power of the community in the conservation of the Amazon rainforest and to identify potential sources of resources to develop programs aimed at the conservation and restoration of the Amazon ecosystem, are the central axes on which IRI-Colombia formulated the proposals presented to the government of Putumayo and Puerto Guzman, to be included in the Development Plans.
These proposals obey the commitment made by IRI-Colombia in the programmatic agreement “A new opportunity of hope for the Amazon”, signed in September 2023 between the Initiative and the candidates for the mayoralties of Puerto Asis and Puerto Guzman and the Governor of Putumayo. Likewise, to the one acquired by the candidates, to work during their mandate for the protection of the Amazon forests.
Accompanied by Pastor Miguel Antonio Varón, coordinator of the local IRI chapters in Puerto Leguízamo, the national coordinator of IRI-Colombia, Blanca Lucía Echeverry, met on February 26 with the social manager of Puerto Guzmán, Mónica Daniela González, and Mayor Miguel Ángel Muñoz, who committed to include the proposals in the Development Plan and to continue accompanying IRI’s actions in the municipality.
On February 27, IRI-Colombia met with Magali Hueca, Amir Rivera and Juan Carlos Gutiérrez, from the Department’s Secretariat of Agricultural Development and Environment. Likewise, the departmental government team committed to include the proposals, to include two religious leaders who are members of the local chapters in the Territorial Planning Council and to explore new working agreements with the Initiative.
Finally, on February 28, in Puerto Asis, a meeting was held with Angie Betancourt, Secretary of Planning, Development and Environment of the Mayor’s Office of Puerto Asis, who committed to study the Initiative’s proposal.
