Colombia announced a significant achievement in environmental conservation as deforestation rates in the country fell by 36% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching the lowest level on record. The government attributed this positive development to a notable decrease in environmental destruction in the Amazon rainforest, which covers about one-third of Colombia's territory.
Nationwide, deforestation decreased to approximately 792 square kilometers in 2023, down from 1,235 square kilometers in the previous year, with over half of the deforestation occurring in the Amazon region. This reduction translates to the preservation of 44,262 hectares of forest, according to Environment Minister Susana Muhamad.
The decline in deforestation was a key focus of President Gustavo Petro's administration, with efforts aimed at curbing agribusiness expansion into the forest and establishing reserves for Indigenous communities to sustainably harvest non-timber forest products like rubber and acai.
Factors contributing to the decrease included advancing peace talks between the government and guerrilla groups, as well as providing financial incentives to farmers in the Amazon for conservation efforts. Additionally, orders from dissident FARC guerrilla groups against deforestation and the presence of government armed forces in affected areas played a role in the downward trend.
Despite this positive development, challenges remain, as a rise in deforestation has been recorded for the upcoming year due to dry weather conditions caused by El Nino. Activities such as cattle ranching, drug cultivation, and illegal mining and logging continue to drive deforestation in Colombia.
The release of this data comes as Colombia prepares to host the COP16 United Nations biodiversity summit in Cali, starting on October 21. The government emphasizes the importance of ongoing efforts to combat deforestation and protect the country's valuable ecosystems.
