Colombia Protects 15,000 Hectares of Páramo Ecosystems

Colombia's public-private strategy 'miPáramo' has successfully protected 15,000 hectares of páramo ecosystems in Santurbán, Guerrero, and Chingaza since 2018. This initiative, driven by Bavaria in collaboration with Water Funds, local governments, and international cooperation, has engaged over 2,000 local families in preservation, reforestation, and sustainable production models. Colombia holds 50% of the world's páramos, which supply water to 70% of Colombians and are crucial for water cycle regulation. These ecosystems are home to diverse flora and fauna, including the frailejón, spectacled bear, and Andean condor, many of which are endangered. The project uses camera traps to monitor biodiversity, confirming the return of native species to previously degraded areas. Bavaria has invested over $17 billion COP in protection and restoration activities, emphasizing the importance of these ecosystems for water security and community involvement.