Colombia reported a concerning 43% surge in nationwide deforestation during 2024, eroding much of the historic progress achieved the previous year, according to AP News.
Official data released by the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) reveals the loss of 113,608 hectares (approximately 280,700 acres) of forest cover last year, reversing the downward trend that culminated in 2023’s lowest deforestation rate in over two decades.
The heaviest losses were concentrated within the ecologically vital Amazon region, accounting for a stark 65% of the national total, over 77,000 hectares cleared. Environment Minister Lena Estrada Añokazi identified the Amazon Arc, a high-deforestation corridor spanning the regions of Meta, Caqueta, Guaviare, and Putumayo, as the epicentre of destruction.
“These figures represent the work and the commitment this government has made to preserve forests and biodiversity. However, all the efforts we have made have not been enough, because deforestation persists,” Minister Estrada stated.
The primary drivers remain deeply entrenched: the expansion of pastureland for cattle ranching, cultivation of illicit crops, rampant illegal mining operations, and unregulated infrastructure projects. IDEAM Director Ghisliane Echeverry confirmed these activities continue to fuel forest loss despite enforcement initiatives.
Estrada highlighted climate change as a critical aggravating factor, noting that severe drought conditions intensified widespread wildfires across the Amazon basin. The destruction extended into protected national parks, including UNESCO World Heritage site Chiribiquete, as well as Tinigua and La Macarena reserves, raising significant conservation alarms.
Despite the significant annual increase, IDEAM stressed that deforestation in 2024 remains lower than the 2021 baseline, indicating an overall net reduction trend since 2022. The 2023 low was widely attributed to enhanced environmental law enforcement, successful partnerships with Indigenous communities, and the demobilisation of armed groups in parts of the Amazon.
