Colombia's president praises country’s lowest deforestation rates in 23 years
(MENAFN) Colombia's President Gustavo Petro celebrated a significant achievement on Monday, noting the country's lowest deforestation rates in 23 years, particularly highlighting a marked decrease in the Amazon rainforest.
Despite still losing nearly 80,000 hectares (197,700 acres) of forest last year, an area equivalent to the size of New York City, this figure represents a 36 percent reduction compared to 2022.
"It's the lowest level of deforestation in 23 years," Petro underscored in a statement, emphasizing the imperative of achieving zero deforestation to safeguard the Earth's vital ecosystems.
Specifically, deforestation in parts of the Colombian Amazon saw a notable 38 percent decline, a positive trend sustained partly through governmental initiatives. One such program involves compensating farmers to encourage them to preserve natural habitats, an approach credited by the environment ministry for contributing to these improvements.
Moreover, areas where guerrilla groups have engaged in peace negotiations with the government have also experienced slower rates of deforestation, reflecting broader stabilization efforts in conflict-affected regions.
However, there are concerns on the horizon. Environment Minister Susana Muhamad cautioned in April about a concerning uptick, noting a 40 percent rise in deforestation during the early months of 2024 as peace talks encountered obstacles. These developments underscore ongoing challenges in maintaining and furthering Colombia's progress in environmental conservation amidst complex socio-political dynamics.
MENAFN09072024000045015839ID1108421314
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.