Colombia has achieved its lowest deforestation rate ever recorded, a significant milestone in the country’s environmental conservation efforts, the government announced on Tuesday. Environment and Sustainable Development Minister Susana Muhamad reported a 36% decrease in deforestation in 2023, with 79,256 hectares deforested compared to 123,517 hectares in 2022.
“It is the lowest figure since we have had historical records in the country since 2000. For the first time, it is a figure that substantially decreases and falls below 100,000 hectares. It is a truly iconic year in this fight against deforestation,” Muhamad stated.
Muhamad highlighted the progress made towards the National Development Plan, which aimed for a 20% reduction in deforestation from the 2021 baseline. The recent figures indicate a 54% cumulative reduction between 2021 and 2023, surpassing the initial target.
“We are meeting and exceeding the goal. We have identified a direct association between peace and the deforestation outcome; conditions of peace generate reduction. In 2023, we have the lowest deforestation rate in the last 23 years, and there are two fundamental factors related to this result: progress in terms of the peace process and the strengthening of conservation agreements (Conservar Paga), especially in the Amazon Arc,” emphasized Muhamad.
Government efforts have concentrated on the Amazon region, specifically in the four departments known as the Deforestation Arc – Meta, Putumayo, Caquetá, and Guaviare – which have seen notable reductions. Within this ARC, Meta witnessed a 57% reduction, Putumayo 52%, Caquetá 34%, and Guaviare 27%.
Environmentalists emphasize that the conservation of these Amazonian ecosystems is crucial for climate regulation and water supply in the Andean region of Colombia, including Bogotá, which is currently facing water rationing.
This significant achievement positions Colombia as a global leader in forest protection, with the country playing a pivotal role in the upcoming UN biodiversity conference – COP16 – scheduled to take place from October 21 to November 1 in Cali, Colombia.
The reduction in deforestation is attributed to the Ministry of Environment’s Deforestation Containment Plan, which includes strategies such as the Conservar Paga program. This program has tripled incentives for communities committed to forest protection. Other strategies include the environmental agenda for peace, institutional strengthening in the territories, criminal investigation, and the deployment of the Public Force with decisive actions.
“It is very good news, but we definitely cannot say that the battle is won. It is a dynamic process; we continue to face illicit economies, the instability of negotiation tables, and the need to keep consolidating the social rule of law in the territory. This is not a process of one year to another,” added Muhamad.
Ghisliane Echeverry, director of the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (Ideam), emphasized the reliability of the monitoring data, stating, “The results presented are supported by a methodology adapted to the Colombian case, internationally validated, nationally certified, and continuously reviewed to ensure confidence in the natural forest monitoring data in Colombia.”
Sandra Valenzuela, General Director of WWF Colombia, praised the news, highlighting the importance of community agreements and improved relationships with the territory. “The reduction of the impact in the Amazon deforestation arc and in the National Natural Parks shows that multi-actor work, with the community at the center, is the right path, and social participation is key to ensuring positive and sustainable impacts over time,” emphasized Valenzuela.
Despite this important progress, Muhamad cautioned that the fight against deforestation is ongoing. “Prairie conversion for land grabbing, unsustainable extensive cattle ranching practices, unplanned transportation infrastructure, illicit crop cultivation, illegal mineral extraction, and illegal logging remain the main causes of deforestation in Colombia,” she said.
Concerted efforts and significant progress in reducing deforestation through private and public conservation initiatives also underscores the importance of continued environmental monitoring within the endangered Amazon and Orinoco ecosystems, particularly in the face of climate change and on-going threats posed to the world’s most biodiverse habitats by illegal armed groups.
