Radiography of the Environmental Governance in Colombia.
Tags: Sustainability, Colombia, Biodiversity, Indigenous, Armed Conflict

Radiography of the Environmental Governance in Colombia.

Indigenous peoples and protected areas.

Colombia is one of the five most biodiverse countries globally, with 59 natural parks that represent 15.17% of the national territory. In addition to this ecological wealth, there is the cultural value contributed by the indigenous communities who inhabit 54% of these areas. However, the natural parks and other ecological areas of Colombia are alarmingly affected by the absence of the State, the presence of illicit crops, the exploitation of hydrocarbons, the armed conflict and deforestation. Challenged by this overlapping of actors and forces, some questions arise related to indigenous peoples’ agency: What role are indigenous communities playing in the decision-making for the protection and conservation of these sacred territories? What kind of governance is required to protect the biodiversity and the communities present in these natural areas?

Before answering these questions, it is necessary to explore the existing public institutional infrastructure in charge of managing the natural parks and other protected areas in Colombia.

Radiography of the National System of Protected Areas.

In 1993, the National Environmental System (SINA in Spanish) was created in Colombia, to determine a set of guidelines, norms, activities, resources, programs, and institutions that allow the implementation of general environmental principles in the national territory.

The SINA gives rise to the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP in Spanish), a system focused on articulating actors, actions and strategies for the conservation of protected areas under the umbrella of National Natural Parks. The SINAP functions as the coordinator of the different national and regional environmental authorities to guarantee coordination in the conservation of the country’s ecological and biodiverse areas, including protected areas of public, private or community governance, and national, regional or local management scope.

The protected areas that are part of SINAP are divided into different categories; some of these are:

National Park: ecological areas whose ecosystems have not been substantially altered by human exploitation or occupation; where plant, species of animals, geomorphological complexes and historical or cultural manifestations have scientific, educational, aesthetic and recreational value. For its conservation, it is subjected to an adequate management regime. Example: The Serranía de Chiribiquete, in the Amazon.

Unique Natural Area: an area that, due to its specific conditions of biodiversity, is a rare natural environment. Example: The Estoraques, in the department of Norte de Santander.

Flora Sanctuary: an area dedicated to preserving plant species or eco-systems in order to conserve genetic resources of the national flora. Example The Sanctuary Medicinal Plants Orito Ingi Andi, located in the southwest of Colombia, between Nariño and Putumayo departments.

Fauna Sanctuary: an area dedicated to preserving species or communities of wild animals in order to conserve the national fauna’s genetic resources. Example: Malpelo Island, in Buenaventura.

Parkway: A road with unique panoramic beauty or natural or cultural value, preserved for educational and recreational purposes. Example: Parkway Isla de Salamanca, in the department of Magdalena.

Integrated Management Districts: It is a geographical space that due to environmental or socioeconomic factors is delimited, within the criteria of sustainable development, for the use and management of renewable natural resources and economic activities. Example: The Sumapaz moorland.

Regional Nature Reserve: area in which primitive conditions of flora and fauna exist. This area is intended for the conservation, research and study of its natural resources. Example: Cerro el Volador, in Medellín Antioquia, is a Metropolitan Nature Reserve.