2024-07-09 16:58:27
According to studies by the Environment Ministry and Ideam, Colombia achieved the lowest deforestation figure since records began in the country, reducing this scourge by 36% during the year 2023.
This historic achievement represents a reduction of 44,261 hectares (ha) of cleared forest.While in 2022 deforestation was 123,517 ha, last year it was 79,256 ha, an area equivalent to almost three times the size of the city of Bucaramanga.
The Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Susana Muhamad, highlighted the importance of this achievement: “This is the lowest figure since we have had a historical record in the country since 2000. This is, for the first time, a figure that has been substantially reduced and below 100,000 hectares. It is a truly iconic year in this fight against deforestation.”
The National Development Plan 2022-2026 ‘Colombia, World Power of Life’ established a goal of reducing deforestation by at least 20% compared to 2021. With the results obtained last year, the Government exceeded this goal, achieving more than 54% cumulative reduction between 2021 and 2023.
Minister Muhamad stressed: “We are meeting and surpassing the goal. We have identified that there is a direct association between peace and the result of deforestation; conditions of peace generate reduction. In 2023, we will have the lowest figure of deforestation in the last 23 years and there are two fundamental factors that have to do with this result: progress in terms of the peace process and the strengthening of conservation agreements (Conservar Paga), especially in the Amazon Arc.”
President Gustavo Petro, on his X account, stated: “Deforestation in the Colombian Amazon has been reduced by 38%. This is the lowest deforestation rate in 23 years. We must reach zero to maintain the lungs of the world.”
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The results achieved are the result of the Deforestation Containment Plan, which includes strategies such as the Conservar Paga program, the Environmental Agenda for Peace, institutional strengthening in the territories, criminal investigation and the deployment of the Public Force with forceful actions.
Ghisliane Echeverry, director of Ideam, emphasized the reliability of the data: “The results of the monitoring presented are supported by a methodology adapted to the Colombian case, internationally validated, nationally certified and permanently reviewed, which guarantees confidence in the monitoring data of natural forests in Colombia.”
Deforestation in the Colombian Amazon reached its lowest level in the last 23 yearsgoing from 71,185 ha in 2022 to 44,274 ha in 2023, a reduction of 38%. This means that 26,911 ha of the Amazon rainforest stopped being deforested. Between 2021 and 2023, the cumulative reduction in the Amazon was 61%.
Muhamad highlighted the significant decrease in deforestation in the four departments of the Amazon Arc: Meta with a reduction of 57%, Putumayo with 52%, Caquetá with 34% and Guaviare with 27%.
The main causes of deforestation in Colombia continue to be land grazing, unsustainable extensive livestock farming practices, unplanned transport infrastructure, illicit crops, illegal mineral extraction and illegal logging. However, in 2023, increases in biophysical factors such as landslides and wind farms were also observed.
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