Deforestation rates in Colombia dropped by 36% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching the lowest level on record, as reported by the government. The decrease was primarily attributed to reduced environmental destruction in the Amazon, which covers about one-third of Colombia. Nationwide, deforestation measured approximately 792 square kilometers in 2023, a decrease from 1,235 square kilometers in the year before, with over half of the deforestation occurring in the Amazon region.
Environment Minister Susana Muhamad highlighted that the decline meant saving 44,262 hectares of forest from being cut down, emphasizing the importance of continued efforts to combat illicit economies. President Gustavo Petro’s administration, elected in 2022, aimed to curb deforestation rates by restricting agribusiness expansion into forests and establishing reserves where Indigenous communities could sustainably harvest non-timber products.
Factors such as advancing peace negotiations between the government and guerrilla groups in the region, along with incentives for farmers to engage in conservation efforts, contributed to the reduction in deforestation. Experts link the decline partially to directives from dissident groups of FARC guerrillas banning deforestation. Maintaining progress will require ongoing presence of government forces in affected areas and further advancements in peace talks.
However, the outlook for the following year appears less optimistic, with a notable increase in deforestation already recorded due to dry weather from the El Nino phenomenon warming the central Pacific. Unchecked deforestation activities like mass cattle ranching, drug cultivation, and illegal mining remain significant contributors to environmental degradation in Colombia, according to Muhamad.
The release of this data coincides with Colombia’s preparations to host the COP16 United Nations biodiversity summit in Cali starting on October 21. It underscores the nation’s dedication to addressing environmental challenges and fostering sustainability.
