Colombia Deforestation Drops by 29% in 2022, Lowest in Nearly 10 Years

The recently released government statistics reveal that deforestation in Colombia witnessed a substantial decline of 29 percent in 2022, reaching its lowest level in almost a decade, per Al Jazeera.

These figures, published on Wednesday, demonstrate notable progress in regions of the Amazon rainforest, which serve as crucial "carbon sinks" by absorbing greenhouse gas emissions in the global fight against climate change.

Within a year, from 2021 to 2022, Colombia deforestation decreased from 174,103 hectares (672 square miles) to 123,517 hectares (477 square miles), representing a nearly 30 percent reduction.

Environment Minister Susana Muhamad emphasized the importance of sustaining this positive trend in the coming years, such as 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Muhamad credited the collaboration with local communities and the crackdown on illegal activities contributing to deforestation for significant progress.

These statistics align with the environmental protection and anti-deforestation commitments made by the left-wing government of President Gustavo Petro.

The administration has advocated for wealthier countries to cancel foreign debt as part of a comprehensive exchange to secure greater investments in Amazon conservation.

Peace Process in 2022 Saves Tens of Thousands of Hectares of Forest, Officials Said

The conservation of 50,000 hectares of forest in 2022 is an early achievement resulting from what is possibly the first peace process in history to prioritize the environment, according to officials.

Muhamad expressed optimism about Colombia's potential to overcome deforestation in the Amazon and reverse the current trends. She highlighted that this is just the beginning of the country's efforts.

The signing of a peace accord between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2016 formally marked the end of a six-decade-long internal conflict that claimed the lives of 450,000 people.

However, an unintended consequence was the impact on Colombia's forests as other armed groups, including dissident rebel factions, exploited the FARC'sabsence to engage in large-scale deforestation, according to The Guardian.

Despite subsequent military operations and international pressure, previous governments faced challenges in reducing Colombia deforestation, particularly in the Amazon region.

Muhamad and other negotiators brokering the 2016 peace accord acknowledge that viewing the environment as a beneficiary rather than an integral part of the agreement was a mistake.

They now recognize the importance of greater emphasis on environmental protection during the early stages of negotiations.

Espen Barth Eide, Norway's environment minister, also noted the need for more emphasis on environmental considerations in the peace process, reflecting on the lessons learned from the past.

FARC Guerrillas Also Contributed to Decline of Deforestation in Colombia

Colombia, known for its rich biodiversity, shares similar challenges with neighboring countries like Brazil in combating deforestation driven by activities such as cattle ranching, drug crops, and illegal mining, said Reuters.

The decline in Colombia deforestation can also be attributed to orders issued by dissident groups of FARC guerrillas, which prohibited deforestation and burning in certain regions, according to Rodrigo Botero, the director general of the Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development, an advocacy group.

The environmental ministry report indicates a substantial decrease in deforestation within the Amazon provinces, where most deforestation activities occur. Caqueta province witnessed a 50% reduction.

Despite surpassing the target for Colombia deforestation reduction, the government and Botero urged caution, emphasizing that the situation remains unstable, vulnerable, and subject to various factors that can affect control measures.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Deforestation down by 29% in Colombia - From Arirang News