Colombia’s fight against deforestation in the Amazon rainforest appears to be a battle with two fronts.
While Environment Minister Susana Muhamad reports a projected decrease of 25% to 35% in deforestation for 2023 compared to 2022, worrying signs point to a rise in 2024.
This news comes despite Colombia’s rich biodiversity and ongoing efforts to curb forest loss. The country, however, continues to lose swathes of Amazon rainforest each year.
Even the positive projection for 2023 translates to a significant area – roughly 1,235 square kilometers – still being cleared in 2022.
The troubling trend for 2024 is linked to a 40% increase in deforestation within the Colombian Amazon during the first quarter, compared to the same period in 2023.
The Ministry of Environment attributes this rise to a combination of factors.
El Niño’s influence on weather patterns has created drier and hotter conditions, fostering droughts and fires.
Additionally, the ongoing conflict with illegal armed groups is putting pressure on environmental leaders and hindering the work of environmental authorities.
Colombia’s history of violence against environmental activists, with dozens killed annually according to Global Witness, further complicates the situation.
Minister Muhamad emphasizes the psychological pressure these armed groups exert on communities, highlighting how “nature is being put in the middle of the conflict.”
Colombia faces a crucial challenge in balancing environmental protection with addressing the threats posed by El Niño and illegal armed groups.
