As part of the development of its advocacy strategy at the local level, IRI-Colombia convened the municipal mayor’s office of La Macarena to present the progress and achievements of its Territorial Development Plan, in terms of protection of tropical forests and biodiversity, and deforestation control.
“We want to ask IRI-Colombia for the favor that, from this approach to nature protection, we formulate a real strategy to reach the 193 community action boards and strengthen their environmental committees, which from rural areas are present in the municipality,” said the mayor in charge, Emilse Ramírez Yacuma.
The Secretary of Government was also accompanied by the Secretary of Culture and Tourism, Susana Beltrán; the Secretary of Finance, Luz Mayra Romero; the Police Inspector, Angélica Gutiérrez; and Jonathan Marín and Alejandra Baquero, professionals from the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture and the Environment.
“The fundamental pillar of our Territorial Development Plan, “The Macarena we want”, is the protection of the environment,” said Alejandra Baquero, who addressed during her presentation some of the programs developed by the mayor’s office, such as the technical assistance service for the consolidation of green businesses, payment programs for environmental services, the recovery of ecosystems of great importance and the installation of eco-efficient stoves. which seeks to mitigate pressures on forests. Additionally, the professional from the Ministry of Planning, Agriculture and Environment referred to the progress in the formulation of planning instruments such as the Basic Territorial Planning Scheme (EOT), the update of the Solid Waste Management Plan and the formulation of the Ornament Plan, which will allow the municipal government to adequately plan the planting of trees in the municipality.
“We know that environmental education is the fundamental basis for dealing with environmental problems such as deforestation. For this reason, with the Inter-Institutional Committee on Environmental Education we seek to strengthen environmental education projects in rural schools, in collaboration with communities and community action boards,” added the official.
During this meeting, which was held within the framework of the formation process of the local chapters IRI La Macarena, IRI-La Cristalina and IRI-Alto Morrocoy, 60 religious, indigenous, peasant and Afro-descendant leaders from the region learned first-hand about the progress and programs in environmental protection of the local government.
Click here to read the full Spanish edition of the November IRIboletín.
