Latest news with #Caquetá
The Independent
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Colombia reports 33% drop in deforestation in early 2025, with major progress in Amazon parks
Colombia saw a 33% drop in deforestation in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, the environment ministry said Thursday, citing stronger community coordination and a crackdown on environmental crime. Speaking at a press conference, Environment Minister Lena Estrada Añokazi said deforestation fell from 40,219 hectares in early 2024 to 27,000 hectares this year. The government identified 18 active deforestation hot spots, including 13 in the Amazon and others in regions like Catatumbo, Arauca and the Pacific north. 'In the Amazon's national parks, deforestation dropped by 54% ... which is a very good result,' Estrada said, highlighting gains in Amazonian parks Tinigua, Chiribiquete and La Macarena. The Amazon remains Colombia's most affected region, accounting for 69% of the country's deforestation. The departments — Colombia's main administrative divisions — of Meta, Caquetá and Guaviare saw the biggest declines, while Putumayo had a slight increase. Estrada attributed the decline to the government's integrated plan to curb deforestation, which includes community agreements, institutional strengthening, and joint operations with the Defense Ministry and Attorney General's Office. A recent report by Colombia's inspector general noted that while deforestation dropped overall, pressure on protected areas remains intense, with illegal coca cultivation and unregulated mining advancing into national parks. The independent watchdog said that between October 2024 and March 2025, nearly 88,900 hectares of forest were lost nationwide, much of it in areas designated for environmental conservation. The minister said the efforts have led to key arrests, including of individuals tied to the environmental sector. Looking ahead, Estrada outlined a territorial action plan to further engage local and Indigenous authorities. A series of regional meetings is set to begin in June, starting in Villavicencio with Amazon and Orinoquia leaders. Deforestation in Colombia is mostly driven by land grabbing, illegal road building, cattle ranching, illicit mining and coca cultivation, the raw ingredient to produce cocaine. — The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Washington Post
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Colombia reports 33% drop in deforestation in early 2025, with major progress in Amazon parks
BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia saw a 33% drop in deforestation in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year , the environment ministry said Thursday, citing stronger community coordination and a crackdown on environmental crime. Speaking at a press conference, Environment Minister Lena Estrada Añokazi said deforestation fell from 40,219 hectares in early 2024 to 27,000 hectares this year. The government identified 18 active deforestation hot spots , including 13 in the Amazon and others in regions like Catatumbo, Arauca and the Pacific north. 'In the Amazon's national parks, deforestation dropped by 54% ... which is a very good result,' Estrada said, highlighting gains in Amazonian parks Tinigua, Chiribiquete and La Macarena. The Amazon remains Colombia's most affected region, accounting for 69% of the country's deforestation. The departments — Colombia's main administrative divisions — of Meta, Caquetá and Guaviare saw the biggest declines, while Putumayo had a slight increase. Estrada attributed the decline to the government's integrated plan to curb deforestation, which includes community agreements, institutional strengthening, and joint operations with the Defense Ministry and Attorney General's Office. A recent report by Colombia's inspector general noted that while deforestation dropped overall, pressure on protected areas remains intense, with illegal coca cultivation and unregulated mining advancing into national parks. The independent watchdog said that between October 2024 and March 2025, nearly 88,900 hectares of forest were lost nationwide, much of it in areas designated for environmental conservation. The minister said the efforts have led to key arrests, including of individuals tied to the environmental sector. Looking ahead, Estrada outlined a territorial action plan to further engage local and Indigenous authorities. A series of regional meetings is set to begin in June, starting in Villavicencio with Amazon and Orinoquia leaders. Deforestation in Colombia is mostly driven by land grabbing, illegal road building, cattle ranching, illicit mining and coca cultivation, the raw ingredient to produce cocaine. — The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at .
Associated Press
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Colombia reports 33% drop in deforestation in early 2025, with major progress in Amazon parks
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia saw a 33% drop in deforestation in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, the environment ministry said Thursday, citing stronger community coordination and a crackdown on environmental crime. Speaking at a press conference, Environment Minister Lena Estrada Añokazi said deforestation fell from 40,219 hectares in early 2024 to 27,000 hectares this year. The government identified 18 active deforestation hot spots, including 13 in the Amazon and others in regions like Catatumbo, Arauca and the Pacific north. 'In the Amazon's national parks, deforestation dropped by 54% ... which is a very good result,' Estrada said, highlighting gains in Amazonian parks Tinigua, Chiribiquete and La Macarena. The Amazon remains Colombia's most affected region, accounting for 69% of the country's deforestation. The departments — Colombia's main administrative divisions — of Meta, Caquetá and Guaviare saw the biggest declines, while Putumayo had a slight increase. Estrada attributed the decline to the government's integrated plan to curb deforestation, which includes community agreements, institutional strengthening, and joint operations with the Defense Ministry and Attorney General's Office. A recent report by Colombia's inspector general noted that while deforestation dropped overall, pressure on protected areas remains intense, with illegal coca cultivation and unregulated mining advancing into national parks. The independent watchdog said that between October 2024 and March 2025, nearly 88,900 hectares of forest were lost nationwide, much of it in areas designated for environmental conservation. The minister said the efforts have led to key arrests, including of individuals tied to the environmental sector. Looking ahead, Estrada outlined a territorial action plan to further engage local and Indigenous authorities. A series of regional meetings is set to begin in June, starting in Villavicencio with Amazon and Orinoquia leaders. Deforestation in Colombia is mostly driven by land grabbing, illegal road building, cattle ranching, illicit mining and coca cultivation, the raw ingredient to produce cocaine. — The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Associated Press
Colombia lost huge area to deforestation in 6 months, public watchdog report warns
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia lost nearly 88,900 hectares (340 square miles) of forest — an area larger than New York City — in just six months, driven by the rapid spread of illegal roads, coca cultivation, and unregulated mining, according to a report by Colombia's procurator's office. The independent watchdog warned of accelerating environmental destruction in some of the country's most ecologically critical regions. The report, released Monday, covers the period between October 2024 and March 2025 and focuses on seven high-risk areas including Caqueta, Guaviare, Putumayo, and Meta — southern departments that form part of the Amazon basin and are vital to Colombia's biodiversity and freshwater systems. Investigators documented more than 1,100 kilometers (680 miles) of illegal road construction, much of it cutting into national parks like Chiribiquete, Nukak, and Farallones de Cali. These roads often enable the transport of illegal goods and open new fronts for forest clearance. 'The construction of these routes would consolidate a terrestrial corridor that would significantly facilitate the development and consolidation of illicit economies and environmental damage in the region,' the report says. While coca crops remain the primary driver of deforestation — particularly in Meta, Putumayo, and the Naya River region — the report also highlights illegal gold mining as a growing threat. In Buenaventura's rural zone near the Naya River, investigators found heavy machinery operating near Indigenous reserves and inside protected areas, with roadwork connecting the region to trafficking routes toward the Pacific Ocean. Caqueta experienced the greatest forest loss, with nearly 30,000 hectares (115 square miles) deforested, followed by Guaviare and Putumayo. Much of the damage occurred near Indigenous territories and vital ecological corridors crucial for wildlife. The report also highlighted land grabbing and speculative vegetation removal — done to claim land or boost its value without immediate use — as growing threats to the region. Authorities are urged to investigate the legality of new roads and issue immediate closure orders where appropriate. Last year, Colombia's government reported that deforestation fell 36% in 2023 versus the previous year, marking the lowest level since records began. However, 2024 saw a 35% surge, fueled by an uptick in the Amazon region. Colombia's environment ministry had not responded to a request for comment on the report by the time of publication. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
The Independent
20-05-2025
- The Independent
Colombia lost huge area to deforestation in 6 months, public watchdog report warns
Colombia lost nearly 88,900 hectares (340 square miles) of forest — an area larger than New York City — in just six months, driven by the rapid spread of illegal roads, coca cultivation, and unregulated mining, according to a report by Colombia's procurator's office. The independent watchdog warned of accelerating environmental destruction in some of the country's most ecologically critical regions. The report, released Monday, covers the period between October 2024 and March 2025 and focuses on seven high-risk areas including Caqueta, Guaviare, Putumayo, and Meta — southern departments that form part of the Amazon basin and are vital to Colombia's biodiversity and freshwater systems. Investigators documented more than 1,100 kilometers (680 miles) of illegal road construction, much of it cutting into national parks like Chiribiquete, Nukak, and Farallones de Cali. These roads often enable the transport of illegal goods and open new fronts for forest clearance. 'The construction of these routes would consolidate a terrestrial corridor that would significantly facilitate the development and consolidation of illicit economies and environmental damage in the region,' the report says. While coca crops remain the primary driver of deforestation — particularly in Meta, Putumayo, and the Naya River region — the report also highlights illegal gold mining as a growing threat. In Buenaventura's rural zone near the Naya River, investigators found heavy machinery operating near Indigenous reserves and inside protected areas, with roadwork connecting the region to trafficking routes toward the Pacific Ocean. Caqueta experienced the greatest forest loss, with nearly 30,000 hectares (115 square miles) deforested, followed by Guaviare and Putumayo. Much of the damage occurred near Indigenous territories and vital ecological corridors crucial for wildlife. The report also highlighted land grabbing and speculative vegetation removal — done to claim land or boost its value without immediate use — as growing threats to the region. Authorities are urged to investigate the legality of new roads and issue immediate closure orders where appropriate. Last year, Colombia's government reported that deforestation fell 36% in 2023 versus the previous year, marking the lowest level since records began. However, 2024 saw a 35% surge, fueled by an uptick in the Amazon region. Colombia's environment ministry had not responded to a request for comment on the report by the time of publication. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
