In the heart of the Farallones, a jewel of threatened biodiversity

Areas still at risk

On the steep slopes of Pico de Loro, however, these threats seem far away. In the middle of the week, this mountain is little frequented, with the exception of a few tourists who deserted COP16 to come and encounter Colombian biodiversity.

This isn't really a problem here. The mines are mainly in the area of ​​Peñas Blancasa mountain 15 km from the center of Cali, Samey Acosta answers me. The young guide says he leads groups to the summit of Pico de Loro several times a week without incident.

Last year, park authorities recorded more than 28,300 visits.

Despite the operations of recent months, certain sectors of Farallones de Cali still escape the control of the authorities, who have noted an increase in environmental crimes. In these regions where the presence of armed groups is suspected, forest guards no longer venture out, for fear of putting their lives in danger.

While more than a dozen incidents were reported to park authorities last year, operations at certain stations recently had to be suspended. Since August, employees have been the target of threats and acts of violence by members of these armed groups.

It is also estimated that there is an increase in the presence of illicit crops in these sectors where the exercise of environmental authority is limitedexplains to me the direction of NNPNational Natural Parks of Colombia.

After peace, new tensions

For more than 50 years, the conflict between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) marked the daily lives of Colombians. This guerrilla, which made violence and extortion its modus operandi, carried out armed attacks and hostage-taking which shocked the country.

During these years, the FARC was one of the only authorities to reign in the most remote sectors of the national parks. Their presence has long discouraged Colombians from using certain paths in the forest, deemed less safe. In places, entire forests were razed to make way for coca plantations, while resources were extracted from the soil to the point of exhaustion.

The signing of the peace agreement which ended hostilities in 2016, however, has not facilitated work in all national parks.

The agreement with the government led to the withdrawal of guerrillas in several areas. Other armed factions, including FARC dissidents, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Clan del Golfo, took advantage of this to move in and take control.

« After the peace agreement, threats and risk situations increased, forcing personnel to leave territories or work only in a few sectors. »

Armed groups, including the ELN, understood that the environment could prove to be an effective lever for negotiating with the government.

Historically, it has been one of the weapons used to control the territory and to obtain concessions from the authorities.says Johanna Andrea Martínez Villa, forest engineer and forest conservation specialist.

For example, they will threaten to pollute a river or they will place bombs in oil pipes or in old pipes, knowing the environmental impact that this will causeshe says.

Following the peace agreement, deforestation also saw a marked increase in national parks: it peaked in 2021 before recording its lowest level in the last 20 years in 2023.

If the authorities see this as a direct consequence of criminal activities, Johanna Andrea Martínez Villa recalls that the population was also able to reinvest the territory after the departure of the FARC. In place of forests left abandoned for years, fields and pastures have been developed.

This is the result of the lack of regulation and the absence of the institutions that we have to adequately control the entire territoryshe notes.