By: Blanca Lucía Echeverry, national coordinator of IRI-Colombia.
The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam) recently presented the report “Monitoring of Forest Surface and Deforestation in Colombia – 2023”, which offers a detailed and updated view on the dynamics of deforestation in the country, with a special focus on the Amazon region.
This report is of vital importance, not only because of the accurate data it provides, but also because it allows the different actors involved in the conservation and management of natural resources to evaluate the effectiveness of the policies implemented and plan future actions.
Deforestation is one of the main environmental problems facing Colombia and directly affects biodiversity, the climate, and local communities that depend on forests for their livelihoods.
According to the Ideam report, at the national level, a decreasing trend in deforestation rates was observed during 2023, with a significant reduction of 38% in the Amazon region. In concrete numbers, in 2022, 71,185 hectares of forest were deforested in the Amazon, while in 2023 this figure decreased to 44,274 hectares. This decrease is an indication that the strategies implemented are beginning to bear fruit.
Especially relevant is the performance of the departments that make up the “arc of deforestation”. In these territories, a notable slowdown in the loss of forest cover has been achieved. In the department of Caquetá, deforestation decreased by 34%; in Guaviare, the reduction was 27%; and in Putumayo, the decrease reached an impressive 52%. The data are encouraging and reflect the positive impact of conservation measures and the collaboration of local communities.
This decline in deforestation rates can be attributed to several factors, including strengthening conservation policies, implementing more effective monitoring and control programs, and increasing awareness and participation of local communities in protecting their forest resources. Environmental education programs and sustainable development projects have been key to changing the mindset of communities, promoting more sustainable agricultural and land use practices.
However, while these results are encouraging, it is crucial to maintain and scale up these efforts to ensure the protection and recovery of forest ecosystems in Colombia. The sustainability of these achievements will depend on the continuity and strengthening of management and conservation actions, as well as on inter-institutional cooperation and the constant commitment of all actors involved.
Specific municipalities such as Cartagena del Chairá and San Vicente del Caguán in Caquetá, and San José del Guaviare, El Retorno and Calamar in Guaviare, have shown the most significant trends of decrease in deforestation. This suggests that localized actions adapted to the specific needs and contexts of each area can be particularly effective.
However, it is important to note that, according to the report, three of the five departments where 61% of national deforestation is concentrated belong to the Amazon region: Caquetá, Guaviare and Putumayo. The other two departments with high deforestation rates are Meta, with 10,310 hectares deforested, and Antioquia, with 8,139 hectares. These departments require priority attention and redoubled efforts to reverse trends in forest loss.
The report also highlights a notable reduction in deforestation in national natural parks, especially in the Sierra de La Macarena, Serranía de Chiribiquete, Tinigua and Cordillera de Los Picachos parks. In 2023, deforestation in these protected areas was 4,682 hectares (5.9% of the national total), which represents a significant decrease compared to the 12,449 hectares deforested in 2022 (10% of the national total). The protection of these areas is critical, as they are crucial refuges for biodiversity and act as important carbon sinks.
The year 2023 registered the lowest deforestation figure in the last 23 years, both nationally and in the Amazon. Although these results are encouraging, the projections for the coming months are not so optimistic. The Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development pointed out that there have already been significant increases in deforestation figures due to the dry weather caused by the El Niño phenomenon. In addition, cattle ranching, the planting of illicit crops, as well as illegal mining and logging, continue to be the main historical causes of deforestation. These activities not only destroy the forest, but also degrade the soil, pollute water sources, and disrupt local ecosystems.
Sustaining and scaling up conservation efforts is crucial to consolidating the gains made. This includes strengthening environmental policies, implementing more effective monitoring and control programs, and promoting community participation in forest protection. Inter-institutional cooperation and the constant commitment of all actors involved will be essential to face future challenges and ensure the preservation of biodiversity in Colombia.
In summary, Ideam’s report on deforestation in Colombia for the year 2023 presents encouraging results and shows that current strategies are having a positive impact. However, these advances should be seen as a starting point and not as an end. Greater efforts and constant vigilance are needed to ensure that these positive trends are maintained and strengthened over time.
Combating deforestation is an ongoing effort that requires the active participation of governments, non-governmental organizations, local communities and the private sector. Only through sustained collaboration and strong commitment can we secure a sustainable future for Colombia’s forests and the communities that depend on them.
Read the full July issue of the IRboletín here (Spanish version).