WWF Colombia

Colombia. February-April 2010 No. 1010

Malaga Bay: Land of promise or protection

Yaigojé Apaporis- One million hectares protected in the Colombian Amazon

A vote to save Colombian forests © Luca Zanetti e d i t o r i a l

WWF's symbolic protest outside the COP15, Co- penhagen, Denmark. © WWF-Belgium / WEILER Philippe

he first year of the second decade of the 21st century started with the planet still waiting for humanity to pay its debt – to meet its obligations T and reduce the impact of climate change for future generations. An outstanding As each day passes, the interest on this debt racks up and it becomes ever more impossible to pay. Not only does the debt seem unmanageable, but there’s little political will to change the way the world economy has operated debt over the past 50 years. The world leaders conscious of the problems (some more than others) met at the end of 2009 to reach a binding agreement in the negotiations over climate change in Copenhagen. While for some it was frustrating, others Ximena Barrera saw it as a start of an important process in changing global Director for Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility, WWF Colombia habits to reduce greenhouse gases so temperatures don’t [email protected] rise by more than 2 degrees Celsius. It’s true that the “Copenhagen agreement” didn’t match expectations of a deal that would be fair, ambi-

4 Malaga Bay: 10 Yaigojé Apaporis- One 13 Sharing the experiences of sustainable Land of promise or million hectares protected farming along the Andes protection in the Colombian Amazon Thirty-seven small farmers and leaders from the Yaigojé Apaporis is Colombia’s Cordillera Real Oriental range passed through More than 20 years ago, the 55th national park. It is also the the Coffee Region for one week to learn about whales were the hosts of Malaga country’s second-largest park. local experiences in conservation, sustainable

c o n t e n t Bay. In 2020 it’s possible that they will cease to be. agricultural production and community leadership.

2 tions and binding, exactly the type of accord demanded by millions of people around the world. But it’s undeniable that now, more than ever, the issue of climate change is forefront on people’s minds given that it touches us all. A number of different issues discussed at Copen- hagen have a direct bearing on Latin America. In particular, the issue of adapta- tion; the reduction of Emis- The fact sions by Deforestation and that the COP Degradation (Redd) and 16 will be the need for economies to in Mexico lower their carbon outputs represents a through the use of efficient © Carlos Drews / WWF-Canon great chance and renewable energies. The future is uncertain; we know tional negotiations over climate Coastal road erosion for WWF in San Andres Island, that the period of negotiation has change, but the COP 16 is a perfect Colombia. Beach and other erosion may be due to been extended, but it must be re- meeting point to deepen the ongoing sea-level rise, a con- countries dialogue between civil society and sequence of climate membered that the Kyoto Protocol change. across the will expire in 2012, making another governments, and so encourage more region. agreement all the more urgent. WWF concrete proposals. recognizes that having 192 world Not all is lost, there is now a so- leaders meet in the Copenhagen cial awareness with which to build conference and not come to an im- a fairer model of development and portant agreement is a waste of a so start fulfilling our obligations to terrific opportunity. the planet. However, the fact that the COP What is undeniable is that con- 16 will be in Mexico represents a cern for the welfare of the planet great chance for WWF and other will be more common in the years countries across the region. It’s true to come than it has been for the past that Latin America is only beginning 50 years. to have a presence in the interna-

18 A vote to save Colombian forests 22 Venezuela and Colombia, ten years of 25 News WWF estimates that between 16% and 19% sharing information and resources to Pág. 25 a 27 (or between 26.5 million square meters save the Orinoco and 31 million square meters) of the wood The Orinoco Basin is vital for the economic and social imported by the European Union comes from development of Colombia and Venezuela, serving as a 28 Publications illegal logging. source of water for the large cities of Bogota, Caracas Pág. 28 y 29 and Tachira.

3 wenty years ago, the inhabitants of Malaga Bay didn’t have to sail too far out to T easily see the snorts from the whales. The song of these animals wasn’t foreign to their ears; a long series of sounds that, experts say, if they could be translated would flow as easily as a Colombian folk song. More than 20 The old folks say that 20 years years ago, ago, these massive beasts swam so the whales close to the shore that from the beach Yubarta © Fundación were the hosts you could see them raise their tails of Malaga above the water like some ancestral wave. Since time immemorial, the Bay. In 2020 whales have chosen this corner of Malaga Bay: it’s possible the Colombian Pacific coast as a that they will sanctuary to preserve their species. cease to be. The animals arrive every July and for Land of promise Conditions four months these waters turn in to have put this a carnival of songs, jumps, fluttering or protection sanctuary of fins and snorts, a welcome to life for the newly born whales. for whales About two decades ago, say the Karla Miliani in the aim of locals, there was no naval base and Media Consultant / WWF Colombia a hurricane the rumor that the country was go- [email protected] of business ing to open up to the world economy interests and using these waters was just that – a politics that rumor. But with the construction of Rumors of Progress could lead to a military complex and the increase Since the last century, Malaga in the traffic of boats moving along Bay has been attractive not only irreversible the Colombian coast, the ancestral for its natural riches, but also for its environmental wave of the whales is ever more dis- strategic position on the Colombian damage. tant. And those rumors of progress Pacific. This region, in the province grow ever more possible. of Valle del Cauca, traditionally has Twenty years ago, the waters of been presented as the country’s most Malaga Bay belonged to the whales. important access to the trade routes In 2020, it’s possible they’ll no lon- of the world, an open door to the ger be welcome here. Then, the only markets of the East and a corridor snort to be heard will be from the linking with neighboring countries. boats that come from other lands, With these arguments, the govern- and as has been said, will bring prog- ment declared the Malaga Bay an ress to the country. area of public interest.

4 1980s experts have warned that the port would one day run out of space. To the dismay of many, the study carried out by Hidroestudios was not encouraging: the study decided that Malaga was not a good option for a possible port given the high seismic activity, how vulnerable the surrounding environment was and the high costs construction would require. Since then and for more than a decade, government studies regard- ing a new port always favored other alternatives over Malaga Bay. In 1998, for example, the Preliminary Why a port? One of the principal Master Plan for Port Expansion in points in Malaga’s favor is the depth the Pacific suggested Malaga Bay Since the of its channel, especially important as an alternative in the long-term, 1990s, a tug of given the global tendency for using meaning in 2020. The report recom- war between ever-larger boats. At the beginning of mended expanding Buenaventura governors, the 1990s, a fear of future congestion in the short term. For the medium at the Buenaventura port was further term, it suggested the construction environmen- impetus for supporters of building a of the Tribuga Port in the province talists, and the port in Malaga Bay. of Chocó. communities And finally, the government has A year after the publication of that live there proposed this port with an eye to this report, the Port and Environ- have marked constructing a port to receive ships ment Plan of Colombian Seaboards the history of that have passed through the Panama emphasized Malaga Bay as a unique Malaga Bay Canal. ecosystem home to baby whales, vul- All of these factors have put nerable swamplands and rainforests. port. this whale sanctuary in the eye of a But history took an unexpected hurricane of corporate and political turn. In 2005, guidelines issued by interests that could bring irreversible the government (Conpes) re-exam- environmental damage. From the ined the idea of developing the port beginning of the 1990s a to and fro in Malaga Bay, ignoring the recom- between governors, environmental mendations of a decade’s worth of experts and local communities have studies that highlighted the bay’s been the hallmark of the proposed environmental richness. Document Port of Malaga Bay. 3342, Plan for the Expansion of the In 1992, the company Hidro- Port System 2005-2006, stressed the estudios-TAMS considered Malaga need to improve the Colombian port as a possible “Plan B” due to the im- system as the country negotiated mediate necessity of expanding port trade agreements with other coun- facilities in this zone of the country. tries. Malaga quickly went from be- The Buenaventura port was opened ing a prized environmental treasure in 1920 to great fanfare, but since the to something that could boost trade

5 with other countries. The Conpes zone to create a Plan for Ethnic and guidelines ordered more “studies for Territorial Welfare establishing areas a port in the deep waters of Malaga of sustainable use and the protection and to urgently establish the needed and conservation of natural resourc- investment for its development.” es). This was one of the first steps in The transport ministry was the long crusade of the inhabitants placed in charge of overseeing the of this region has started to defend study. In August of that same year, their natural paradise. the Society of Supporters of the Port According to Hinojosa: “Malaga in Malaga Bay was created. The Bay is a place that has integrated board of directors of this society was ecosystems, seven types of swamp- made up of minister of transport, lands and beaches that are white, the Commander of the Navy, the grey and black.” But this region that governor of the province of Valle del the whales choose as their birthing Cauca and four local businessmen. grounds – it has the highest birth rate In 2005 the In February 2007, the Spanish- of humpback whales in the world govern- Colombian consortium Sener-In- – has a tremendous environmental ment issued coplan was ordered to carry out a value. In natural riches, it has 60 guidelines, feasibility study after the Society of amphibious species, 148 species of Conpes, which Supporters agreed to fund the report. saltwater and freshwater fish, 25 supported a Sener-Incoplan’s mission was to re- species of sea and beach birds, 141 view the viability of a port in Malaga species of mollusks and 99 species of proposed port Bay in terms of finance, trade and the crustacean. There are also swamps, in Malaga environment. The study was finished 400 species of trees and a great vari- Bay ignoring in July 2008 and concluded that the ety of flora. the recom- mega project was economically unvi- All these elements combine to mendations of able in the short term. make the views of Malaga Bay the technical breathtaking. Here live more than studies that The Whales’ birthing ground 3,500 Afro-Colombian and indig- Those who live in Malaga Bay enous inhabitants who add an ad- highlighted the have learnt to read nature and the ditional element – cultural richness. environmental signs she sends. In the old days they There are various different councils restrictions of used to fish for catfish; now it is in to represent the different towns, the area. danger of extinction. They didn’t including La Plata, Espana-Miramar, need to sail too far out to sea to Juanchaco, La Barra and Ladrilleros. catch perch. These councils have been crucial Absalon Valencia sits in his chair in the process of trying to make on his porch and remembers a time Malaga Bay a national park, the best when “not everything was all about chance of protecting this zone from money.” the business interests that seek to Absalon is 57 years old and lives make the zone a marine port. The in La Plata, a hamlet of around 53 communal councils, supported by wooden houses that relies on an the Colombian National Parks office electric generator but lacks running and civil society groups like WWF, water. Luis Carlos Hinojosa is on started a long process to get the terri- La Plata’s communal council (this tory declared a park. Over the years, a council was one of the first in the plan of action has evolved, including

6 N CHOCÓ

Valle del Cauca DMI La Plata

La plata Puerto España

La Barra Ladrilleros PNR La Sierpe Juanchaco The environmental Buenaventura richness of Malaga Bay is LEGEND reason enough Proposed limit Pacific naval base to oppose the CONSERVATION AREAS DMI La Plata 6 3 0 6 Km construction PNR La Sierpe of a port there, the proposed arguments for why the land should of last year when the governor of project itself is be preserved and what the limits of Valle del Cauca, Juan Carlos Abadía, the protected land should be (a task ordered the new director of the Au- not coherent; which has been carried out with tonomous Regional Corporation of it’s not feasi- the support of local fisherman who Valle del Cauca to reverse previous ble and it’s not know this coastline like the back of rulings that could have restricted the necessary. their hands). construction of a port in the area. It was after they finalized their The governor’s order caused con- most concise proposal for their ter- cern among environmental experts. ritory in 2009 that the inhabitants On June 10, the director of the of Malaga Bay decided to establish a regional office of the National As- strategy to conserve their territory. sociation of Industrialists (ANDI), Twenty years had passed since 1989 Rodrigo Velasco Lloreda, sent a let- when the Institute for the Devel- ter to the minister of environment opment of Renewable Natural Re- detailing business’ interests in a sources (Inderena) and the Office of deepwater port in Malaga Bay. In Planning of the Province of Valle del an effort to convince the minister, Cauca first proposed the creation of Velasco cited a study that said “that a national park to be called Wounaan. Malaga Bay Port should be opened at the latest by 2020 because it is Lost Battles estimated by 2025 Buenaventura The story appeared to be heading Port will be unable to cope with the for a happy end until the first half projected traffic.”

7 Following on, the letter went on to state in strong terms: “For all the

above reasons we ask you not to de- Zanetti © Luca clare Malaga Bay a protected area and wildlife reserve and we invite you to work with the Ministry of Transport, the governor of the province of Valle del Cauca and private businessmen to push this project forward which is so vital for the future of Colombia.” It was a strange that Velasco should invoke the minister of transport’s support for the proposed ment should be used to expand The reflections port. In August 2008, the minister the port of Buenaventura. In 2007, about this of transport sent a letter to Julia Mi- the ministry of transport updated randa, director of National Parks in its studies – ratifying that the port issue conclude Colombia. In the letter, Andres Uriel should stay in Buenaventura and that more Gallego sought to assure her that the underscoring the environmental than building ministry considered: “Malaga Bay is guidelines in Malaga Bay. a new port; a treasure in terms of bio-diversity Recent government guidelines the investment and for this reason it is unlikely that prioritize specific investments for should be any port will be built in this area.” Buenaventura aimed at improving used to Velasco’s letter wasn’t the only the port’s efficiency and competitive- one the Minister of Environment re- ness. The report suggests investment expand ceived. In September, Julian Domin- in dredging the access canal, the con- the port of guez Rivera, president of the Cali struction of a two-lane highway con- Buenaventura. Chamber of Commerce, also request- necting Bogota and Buenaventura, ed the suspension of any declaration the outer harbor of Buenaventura. of Malaga Bay as a national park. An international cargo airport is also During a business meeting organized being considered, something that by the ministry of trade in Cali would greatly amplify Buenaven- over August 24 and 25, Dominguez tura’s infrastructure and capacity. warned of the urgent need to “ap- Ports in Colombia’s neighbors of prove the creation of a Malaga Bay Peru, Panama and Ecuador are being port that meets all environmental expanded. Any port in Malaga would requirements”. Dominguez reminded have to compete with these other his audience that the port would cre- ports that have been operating for ate jobs, thereby helping the national decades, said Juan Carlos Espinosa, policies of President Alvaro Uribe. Sector Policy Officer for WWF in Colombia. The fallacies of Progress The idea of the Malaga Bay port The environmental richness of would push to one side all the mas- Malaga Bay should be enough to sive investment – and environmental prevent the massive infrastructure damage - that for years has occurred a port would need. Analyses on the in Buenaventura. On the other proposed port conclude that instead hand, if the project in Malaga goes of building a new port, the invest- ahead, they will need to build a new

8 highway between Buenaventura and proposal for the development of the Malaga Bay to transport heavy cargo, port in Malaga Bay within the frame- said Espinosa. work of the Environmental Unit for Given the large amounts of in- the Oceans and Coast of the Malaga vestment already made in Buenaven- Bay-Buenaventura Complex. Inside tura over the decades, it makes little this unit is found the strategic zone sense to spend scare resources on of the port’s development in Bue- the construction of a completely naventura but also it’s proposed an new port. area of conservation and sustainable In spite of the advances made by productive activity in Malaga Bay, those interested in turning Malaga important for the Afro-Colombian Bay in to a port, the work of the communities and for the sustainable National Parks Office, Yubarta Foun- development for the region. The communal dation and WWF have managed to The ombudsman’s statement was Article councils, slow down this initiative. Colom- clear: article 63 of the constitution 63 of the the National bia’s national ombudsman gave his establishes that “the natural parks constitution complete support for this work in are inalienable. The zones that are Parks office establishes a statement sent to the ministry of declared inside the system should of Colombia environment last October. have exceptional values for the na- that the and the WWF In the letter, the ombudsman tional patrimony, that is, it should “natural started a long invoked Colombia’s political consti- be in the national interest to preserve parks are process to tution, in particular articles 63 and the area.” This same argument was inalienable.” get the area 79, as the basis for declaring Malaga made by the communal councils in declared a Bay as a national park. The letter also their unanimous decision to support emphasized the need for a general turning the zone in to a natural park. natural park. debate about the need to establish They know that if these “rumors a model for global compensation for of progress” become concrete reali- protected areas and environmental ties, many things will change: “the services. The final decision is now traditional practices will be in dan- in the hands of the ministry of en- ger”, warns Absalon, sitting in the vironment. corridor of his house. And without The ministry must understand doubt the song of the whales and that sustainable development re- their ancient waves will be no more quires a balance between the conser- than a distant memory in the “im- There has been no re- cord of this Humpback vation of protected land, social equal- portant” port of Colombia’s pacific whale for the last nine- ity and the development of economi- coast. teen years, in August 2009 it was seen again cally productive activities. For that in Bahía Málaga. reason, it is important to analyze the © Fundación Yubarta © Fundación 9 © Camilo Guido / ACIYA

The newly-protected area shelters and preserves n the border of Colombia and Brazil, in the pro- the customs of 8 indigenous communities (around 5,000 people), the Macuna, Tanimuka, Letuama, vince of Vaupes, the indigenous communities are Cabiyari, Barazano, Yujup Maku and Yuana. believers in the Yurupary – a mythical being with O the power to take on the form and the essence of everything. For the people who live in these jungles, every element in nature is a sacred site that can be used Yaigojé in rituals to cure the planet. It’s here “in the center of the universe” where the indigenous people of Apaporis have declared the National Natural Park of Yaigojé-Apaporis, which spans a million hectares. Apaporis - In these million hectares - almost 2 percent of the whole Colombian Amazon – are protected forests, plants, One million animals, rivers and ravines. As well as the immense natural riches, this park also preserves the cultural origins of hectares protected these indigenous communities. The park is a guide to their history, these present and more importantly their future. It is not the first time Colombia has tried to harmonize in the Colombian social development with the land and nature. But in this case, the limits of the park were defined according to both Amazon natural characteristics and social and cultural values of the 1,500 people who live here. The Amazon indigenous Hernando Zambrano communities that inhabit this region are the Macuna, WWF Consultant, National Natural Parks Tanimuka, Letuama, Cabiyari, Barazano, Yujup Maku [email protected] and the Yauna.

10 The boundaries of such a park reptiles (152), many of which are in can bring positive consequences by danger of extinction. strengthening the indigenous mana- The study and classification of gement of their own land, integrating these species leads to a better unders- the ancestral indigenous knowledge tanding of the ecosystem, generating with the environment. With the land benefits for the local communities, protected, the indigenous communi- such as guaranteeing food security. ties can avoid the pressures of mining Yaigoje-Apaporis is an ambitious and unsustainable exploitation of project that aims to foster a harmo- resources and guarantee the needed nious relationship between these space for their cultural and produc- societies and the Amazon rainforests Yaigojé tive practices that form part of their where they live. Apaporis is vision of the world. Treasures beneath the earth; Colombia’s Apaporis: medicine and for some a fortune, for others 55th national knowledge for the whole. only misery park. It is also This new area will significantly In these vast and stunning lands, the country’s contribute to the preservation of the commercial interests have appeared second-largest region’s biological diversity. Scien- that challenge nature’s order. Some park. tists of the Natural Science Institute mining projects have been proposed and the Institute for Amazon Studies which potentially could cause massi- in Colombia have studied the fauna ve environmental damage and endan- and flora, revealing a wildlife and ger local indigenous communities. fauna that is rare and of high value Luckily, the people of Yurupary de- to the world’s natural heritage. tected these serious threats in time. Among the seven different types A conservation effort of this size of ecosystems in the Amazon rainfo- poses a big challenge and requires rest are at least 1683 species of plants extensive planning. In the case of For many indigenous Yaigoje is the begin- communities that live and similar number of animal species, Yaigoje-Apaporis this planning is ning of the path of the in the Andes and the including birds (362), fishes (201), being developed jointly between Anacondas that runs Amazon the coca leaf through the Amazon is sacred. butterflies (400) and amphibians and the indigenous authorities and the basin. © Camilo Guido / ACIYA © Camilo Guido / ACIYA

11 N Vaupes

Vaupes

Yaigojé-river Apaporis Brazil

Colombia

In the area A mazonas Miriti-Parana Port Córdoba there have Comeyafu been reported LEGEND International Borders almost 1,700 State Boundary Indigenous Territories species of Land Putumayo Curare The English NP Yaigoje plants and Caqueta river Coverange Rivers more than Natural forests 700 species of fauna, of National Parks Office of Colombia. ranjo, Director of Conservation for which 12 The strategy is based on three clear WWF in Colombia. are new to objectives: the continuance of the “Traditional doctors say that the science. indigenous’ own values of preser- Yaigoge-Apaporis land is filled with ving the environment and their own the knowledge and the medicine traditional use and management of needed to save the world. The un- the protected area; helping connect sustainable exploitation of resources the ecosystems of the basins of in the Amazona, exploitation that the rivers Caqueta and Negro; and tramples over indigenous cultural strengthening the “System of Sacred traditions, must be stopped. We Sites” and rituals associated with the knew that it was necessary to protect management and use of the territory. this territory and it wasn’t going to “Meeting these objectives will be possible to do it alone, so for this mean for the indigenous peoples reason we asked the Natural Park and their governors a chance to office to make this declaration. Our protect their ancestral territory. For immediate challenge is to develop the institutions and organizations a joint protection strategy for the such as WWF this is a chance to park,’’ said Gerardo Macuna Mirna, shape concepts around the issues of Secretary of the Environment and conservation and biological diversity. Territory for the ACIYA (Indigenous In both cases, there is clear need for Chiefs’ Association in Yaigoge- joint work,” said Luis German Na- Apaporis).

12 © WWF Colombia

ven though it’s been 22 years, Tiberio Giraldo clearly remembers that morning. The Sharing the E wind still carried the chill from the night before but despite the cold, Tiberio left the warmth of experiences his bed. The previous day, he and his neighbors were witness to a pioneer- of sustainable farming ing experiment in this settlement: the bio-digestor. along the Andes For hours, experts and curious spectators inflated a plastic tube and put in all their organic waste on the promise that in 40 days, a flame of Ilvia Patricia Niño gas would arrive to Giraldo’s kitchen. Andean-Amazon Piedmont Program Officer [email protected] It was three in the morning when Tiberio walked over to the new machine. “I was very sad when I saw it completely deflated,” he re- experts returned, the bio-digester members. In those days, there were was working fine. no cellphones and the experts hadn’t That morning was a milestone left any way to contact them in case in the life of Tiberio marking as it their help was needed. “I’m not well- did the origin of El Cipres Natural educated, but I’m a good observer. So Reserve, near the town of El Dovio I went and bought a tube and I sealed in the province of Valle del Cauca. the bio-digester where it was leaking There arrived 37 small farmers and air and inflated it again.” When the community leaders of the Cordillera

13 Thirty-seven small farmers and leaders from the © WWF Colombia Cordillera Real Real Oriental (Royal Eastern Moun- hood. He is one of the 28 Inheritors Oriental range tain) range to learn and share their of the Planet - a program promoting passed experiences of conservation, sustain- conservation lead by young people - through the able agriculture and livestock rearing of the Bellavista settlement, and he Coffee Re- and community organizing. says that in ten years he’d like to be The Cipres was one of the first active in the conservation programs gion for one stops on this tour through the his father started two decades ago. week to learn coffee-growing region (Armenia So his inheritance is not only to look about local and Cordoba) and the northern part after the El Cipres Reserve but also to experiences in of the province of Valle Del Cauca continue the teachings of his master. conservation, (Versalles, El Dovio, El Cairo, Cartago Camilo’s story was eagerly lis- sustainable and Alcala) between July 13th and 18th tened to by those on the tour, keen agricultural of 2009. Taking part in the tour were to learn the locals’ experiences and Colombians, Ecuadorians, Peruvians, try them out back home. production and community leaders and organiza- The mountain range starts in community tions of those who live along the Colombia and runs down to Huan- leadership. eastern mountain range and belong cabamba in northern Peru, spanning to the project Landscape Alive, led by more than nine million hectares and WWF in Colombia and Peru, Natura running alongside the Amazon basin. Foundation in Ecuador and financed The constant tussle of the dense by the European Union. fog and the strong winds of hot air that come from the Amazon plain Legacy produces water that feeds the moun- Camilo Giraldo Giraldo has a calf, tain range’s snowcaps of Cotopaxi, a brood of suckling pigs and a forest Cayambe and Chimborazo. From with his name. This young man, still here flow the massive rivers of the in the ninth grade, is the son of Tibe- Caqueta, Putumayo, Pastaza, Napo, South American rio and even though he doesn’t speak Ucayali, Santiago and Chinchipe. At Infrastructure as fluently as his father, he has inher- least 140 species of amphibians, 1,145 Integration map ited the commitment to look after birds, 7,000 vascular plants, and more the region where he spent his child- than 250 mammals live along the

14 5 2

4 6

6 5

7 8 11

Pacific Atlantic Ocean Ocean 1

1 Mercosur-Chile hub 2 Andean hub 3 Brasil-Bolivia-Paraguay-Peru-Chile hub 4 Venezuela-Brasil-Guyana-Surinam hub 5 Orinoco-Amazonas-Plata hub 6 Amazon hub 7 Atlantic Ocean logistics 8 Pacific Ocean logistics 9 Neuquen-Concepción hub 10 Portoalegre-Jujuy-Antofagasta hub 11 Bolivia-Paraguay-Brasil hub N 12 Peru-Brasil hub

(*) The scale of these maps is different from the general map

HUB-00 CONNECTING HUBS IN SOUTH AMERICA Paved road Country capital Existing railway Unpaved road Province capital Railway-projects Road-project City or town Rivers 15 Prioritized hub Country boundaries Port mountain range where these biological elements coincide Colombia along the flat lands of the Pacific Coast, the Andean mountains and the Amazon flat lands. Various infrastructure projects have been drafted for different points along this mountain range. Twelve South American Presidents E cuador came together in Brasilia in 2000 and discussed the Re- gional Integration of South American Infrastructure N (Iirsa), including the Andean The Cordillera 0 35 70 140 Axis which will connect the Km Real Oriental Pan-American Highway with range the Marginal Forest highway stretches from that runs through the moun- Colombia to tain range, joining Ecuador, Perú northern Peru. Colombia and Peru. LEGEND The other proposed high- Projet Area (CRO) Contained way will pass through a part Indigenous Territories within it are International Borders of the Amazon, connecting Protected Areas more than 21 the three ports of Tumaco bio-geographic in Colombia, Esmeraldas in According to Ilvia Niño, officer of regions and 30 Ecuador and Peru’s Paita – from each the Amazon Piedmont program for types of eco- of these three ports, there is access to WWF in Colombia, the coffee region systems. dozens of other smaller ports that is a good example of conservation, dot the 6,000 kilometers of rivers in while in the Andean Amazon Pied- this region. mont the process is just beginning. One of the strategies to slow the Conservation Route annihilation of natural and cultural In the Cordillera Real Oriental riches in the Cordillera Real Oriental range there are 21 biogeographic range – product of the colonization regions and 30 different types of and expansion of the agricultural ecosystems. While indigenous com- border – is the capacity building of 74 munities have made this territory leaders of the region, members of the their home for the past 3,000 years, school for conservation of the An- about 60 years ago colonizers from dean Amazon Piedmont where they other parts of the country arrived have learned about politics, com- seeing potential in these lands and munication, pressures and threats to climate. It was at that moment that their territory as well as sustainable began the advance of the agricultural alternative farming. and cattle industries that continues The tour along the coffee region to threaten deforestation. offered a unique opportunity for

16 participants from the three countries to meet and share experiences, a key component of this strategy. Dignori Soto, owner of the Oasis Reserve, told her history. Dignori’s land, now covered with coffee bushes and their red berries, was shaken ten years ago by the earthquake in the coffee region. This woman has proved herself an important local figure, bringing her neighbors together to preserve the traditional coffee industry. By opposing the use of certain chemicals and refusing to plant only the type of seeds demanded by the National Cof- © WWF Colombia The boom in fee Federation, these coffee-farmers stories in simple language, but when organic cof- received no help. However, the boom they talk they are listened to atten- fee proved it in organic coffee showed that their tively. They have the same power to was not only decision was not only a benefit to explain that Tiberio does, who told environmen- the environment, but also a lucrative his tale of that fateful morning and tally sound but business. the bio-digester’s success, the morn- Today, they are certified and pos- also a ing when he finally understood: “if sess 64 hectares of forests, coffee, you want it, you can do it”. profitable plantain, and various other products With this certainty, he turned 12 business. that feed their own families. of his hectares in to a natural reserve, The Association of Educational a model of environmental care and Centers of Garrapatas River (Ac- sustainable agricultural production. erg) was another experience shared The words of Tiberio and the during the tour. Since 1995, vari- others are now lessons learnt by the ous education institutions of the leaders of the Cordillera Real Oriental municipality of El Dovio have run a range. Even though the conditions network of rural schools. Since then, back home are different from those its Environmental Project has been a discussed in the tour, the partici- plan of action to encourage students pants now have a base from which in sustainable agricultural produc- “to investigate and adjust to fit the tion. In its classrooms, the discus- teachings for each community”, said sions and teachings revolve around one of the listeners. Finally, the par- traditional methods of agriculture ticipants agreed on the importance and the improvement of farming of leadership, the support of outside techniques that don’t harm the sur- institutions and the environmental rounding environment. education of children for these proj- The teachers also have another ects’ future. challenge: to make sure the children It’s in these summits in the don’t fall in to the claws of the war mountains where the hope and ex- or in to the cocaine business. perience remain that can save one of These small farmers tell their the planet’s vital arteries.

17 Almost 13 million hectares of natural forests are lost each year across the world as a result of the illegal traffic in wood. In the Bolivia and the Brazilian Amazon, 80% of the exploitation of the forests is carried out illegally. In Colom- bia, it is around 40%.

he Colombian Government together with 24 public and private sector organizations, A vote T civil society representatives and consumers, signed a Pact For to save Legal timber in Colombia. Colombia is a land dominated by forest ecosystems. Colombia’s Colombian tremendous biological diversity, its WWF esti- strategic location and its variety of forests mates that different climates make the country a strong potential in the market of between 16% forest-derived products. and 19% (or Martha Lucy Mondragón Colombia still retains a signifi- Forest Ecosystem Management Coordinator between 26.5 cant portion of its original forest [email protected] million square cover; approximately 50% (55 million meters hectares) of the national territory and 31 million (114 million hectares) is covered by In a joint effort led by the Co- square meters) natural forest, half of which is found lombian Ministry of Environment, within ethnic territories primarily the Regional Environmental Au- of the wood in the Chocó-Darién Ecoregion and thority of the Province of Risaralda imported by the Amazon basin. It is in these ter- (Carder), the National Timber the European ritories where the problems of illegal Industry Federation (Fedemaderas) Union comes timber trade are concentrated. Illegal and WWF Colombia, twenty-four or- from timber exploitation and trade gener- ganizations made an unprecedented illegal logging. ates negative environmental and commitment to put an end to illegal socio-economic impacts, affecting timber trade, implement a national both the performance of the sector policy to promote legal timber and and its contribution to national GDP, improve forest governance in Co- as well as security, well-being and lombia. livelihoods of local communities. Globally, illegal logging represents The signing of A Pact for Legal between 20-40% of timber produc- Timber in Colombia on August 21st in tion and trade; similar numbers apply Bogota will enhance forest manage- in Colombia. A study published by ment and conservation in Colombia, the World Bank in 2006 estimated home to 6% of the world's forests. that illegal logging in Colombia ac-

18 counted for 42% of the country’s total production of wood. Given that it requires little investment, illegal logging and trafficking is carried out on both a small and large scale. Deforestation is one of Some analysts estimate that illegal the causes of green- logging in Colombia could reach as house gases in Co- high as 75% of all timber production lombia and across the and trade in this South American planet. (~20%). country. Precise numbers on the extent of the illegal trade are difficult to estimate given the tough conditions in forest regions of armed conflict and illicit crops, corruption and or-

© Michèle Dépraz / WWF-Canon ganized crime. Further complicating attempts to quantify the figures; Forest cover, indigenous territories and national parks in Colombia different actors along the chain of LEGEND custody are not formally connected, N WWF priorities landscapes with producers lacking linkages with Indigenous territories buyers, and numerous intermediar- National protected areas ies. This complexity calls for a collec- Forest cover Panama International boundaries tive effort to tackle the irregularities in the forest sector. For these reasons, the Pact con- Venezuela venes all actors along the production Urabá-Darién process involved in timber extraction to commercialization (including buyers, transporters, transformation Colombia and consumers) will guarantee the Coffe Growing Region legal origin of timber in Colombia More than simply an instrument of control and social pressure to guarantee the law’s enforcement, this vote represents the different ethical Negro's Headwaters Choco Suroccidental responsibilities of diverse sectors united in opposition to a practice

Caqueta and Putumayo watersheds that, according to official estimates, causes the devastation of at least Ecuador 48,000 hectares of forests each year Brasil and carries the risk of over exploita- Eastern Cordillera Real tion of 21 species, including cedar, much desired for its commercial Perú value in national and international markets.

Kilómetros 600 120 240 360 480

19 © Fernando TRUJILLO / Fundación Omacha TRUJILLO / Fundación © Fernando

Extensive logging in the Amazon without a sustainable management plan.

The Colombian Forest: the FAO, over the five years between a source of life and income 2000 and 2004, the country’s exports for the country of wood reached $163.1 million; with The business of foresting has so Venezuela and the United States the far played a minor role in the na- largest buyers. tional economy, meaning there is the Colombia’s natural forests pro- potential for the country to develop vide nearly 80% of the wood used in this sector to a large scale. However, the country. Additionally, the forests the exploitation of wood has become provide important products aside a major support for important parts from wood, such as medicinal plants of the economy such as construction, and raw material for crafted goods. furniture, wood pulp, paper and card- These forests are still cut down at an board. In countries such as Chile and alarming rate. Brazil, the foresting industry is one of the economy’s principal sectors, in Colombia the industry is just 0.2% of According to the World Bank, between $10 billion and the economy or 1.8% if wood pulp, $15 billion is lost each year due to illegal logging, paper, cardboard, treated wood and reducing money destined for educational, health, furniture are included. The Colombian foresting indus- environmental and social programs. try continues to focus primarily on the domestic market and is consid- For example, the Chocó -Darien ered uncompetitive among interna- region is the source of 80% of wood tional producers; in 2002 only 0.1% used and sold in Colombia. In this of production was exported. Accord- zone, the forests as resources are ing to recent information released by undervalued. The lack of an institu-

20 tional policy, the armed conflict, the prevalence of illegal crops, development policies that favor agriculture strategies over the forests, and the limited control local communities have over their own land, have been the main causes of illegal logging in the region.

Forest Management: A priority For WWF, the implementation of this Pact will transform the sector and make sustainable forest management and trade a common practice in local, national and global forest product markets. The Colombian Minis- try of Environment’s commitment to exclusively use wood or bamboo from legal sources for public housing projects is a step forward towards achieving this goal. Commit The Agreement for Legal Timber in Colombia is even more relevant given to reduce its relation with the global forest governance project of the European Union Flegt (Forest Law Enforce- your energy ment, Governance and Trade), which seeks to reduce purchase of illegal tropical timber by EU members consumption States. “Effective governance of forest resources must be a priority for the sector and the country," said Mary Lou Higgins, Director of WWF Co- lombia. "This Pact demonstrates a A first step is to pledge and shared responsibility to join Earth hour search for effective mechanisms of sign in and act control, transparency, and responsi- ble purchasing with the aim of elimi- March 27, 2010 nating illegality, improving forest 8:30-9:30 PM based livelihoods and strengthening sustainable development processes", said Higgins. www.wwf.org.co

21 © Ana María ROLDAN / WWF Colombia he Orinoco now has 19 different special areas for the preservation of the basin. More than 30 Venezuelan and Colombian scientific institutions Venezuela and Colombia, T and environmental organizations met on August 21st in Bogota to identify the most important areas for ten years of sharing conservation and the sustainable use of the environment in the Orinoco Basin. After four days of discussion in information and this international workshop, both countries came to an agreement about the 19 most important areas for South resources to save America’s second most voluminous river. This meeting was possible thanks to the initiative of Venezuela’s La Salle Natural Sciences Foundation, the Von the Orinoco Humboldt Institute, WWF, the Natural Sciences Institute of the National University of Colombia, the Omacha Foundation and the Palmarito Foundation. Representa- tives from the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Venezuela’s National Agricultural José Saulo Usma Freshwater Program Coordinator Investigation Institute were invited but unfortunately [email protected] were not able to attend.

22 The 19 areas were chosen accor- 82 themed-maps on the region’s The Orinoco Basin is vital for the economic ding to biological criteria, such as the eco-system with an average of 13 and social development of Colombia and richness and vulnerability of the spe- maps per group (vegetation, insects, Venezuela, serving as a cies (some of which are only found fish and crustacean, amphibious and source of water for the large cities of Bogota, in the Orinoco basin), others because reptiles, birds and mammals). Caracas and Tachira. These water of their importance to local com- Also analyzed were the threats resources are an munities (including fishing, sports, posed to the 19 different areas, inclu- important source of electrical energy in health, hunting, cultural). Areas were ding: deforestation, population den- Colombia and Venezuela. also chosen given their ecological sity, oil and coal concession blocks, importance; such as how central they mining, damns dykes, infrastructure are to certain species’ migration, re- such as roads, over-exploitation of production, and continued survival. natural resources, contamination Another factor that was taken in to of the water, (mercury, agricultural account was the absence of said areas chemicals), climate change, illegal inside the National Protected Areas crops, uncontrolled tourism and ca- Systems that can be used as corridors tastrophic natural occurrences. of conservation. The conclusions of the workshop One of the workshop’s biggest have been shared among decision achievements was the creation of takers. Now the information about

19 different special areas for conservation and the sustainable use of the environment in the Orinoco Basin

Conventions Mainstream Protected areas rivers Special areas International boundaries 100 50 0 100 200 Caracas Km N 1:7.000.000 1 cm = 70 Km Barquisimeto San Juan de los Morros San Carlos Venezuela Guanare Tucupita El Baul massif Barinas piedmont Low Orinoco - delta corridor Barinas Mamo island Apure river flooded savannas Ciudad Bolívar San Cristobal Río Negro Caura-Orinoco junction

Arauca Arauca wetlands Maigualida mountain range Colombia Bita-Meta-Orinoco corridor Casanare wetlands Meta-Casanare corridor Middle Orinoco corridor Yopal

Bogotá, D.C. Tomo and Vichada basins Ventuari river Cusiana

Upper Meta river Puerto Inírida Inirida fluvial star

Upper Meta river

San José del Guaviare

Miriti-Parana

23 © Ana María ROLDAN / WWF Colombia

mendations from the workshop, said The Orinoco River and its tributaries are home to Carlos Lasso, director of Conserva- thousands of different animals; more than 1,000 tion and Biology for the Humboldt species of fish, 1,300 species of birds and 250 Institute. “All of this information that mammals. A number of these species are in danger, makes up the Conservation Por- such as the Orinoco Caiman, the Arrau turtle, the tfolio will allow an effective use of jaguar, the pink dolphin and the giant otter. financial resources, an articulation of goals and projects, a consolidation the proposed areas is in the hands of of interinstitutional alliances and cut all the participants so they can share out much of the duplication of con- it with their organizations and in the servation efforts.” said Saulo Usma, future they can pursue joint research, Fresh Water Coordinator of WWF in conservation and fund-raising efforts Colombia. based on the discussions and recom-

24 n e w s

July 16 Colombia Steps up Commitment to Sustainable Tuna Fisheries in

the Eastern Pacific © Brian J. Skerry / National Geographic Stock / WWF Colombia sends a clear message of collaboration joining Spain, Specific fishing closure periods France, the United States, Japan and 11 other Inter-American have been agreed for tuna fishing in the Eastern Pacific during 59 days in Tropical Tuna Commission (Iattc) member states to promote regional management measures for commercial tuna in the 2009, 62 days in 2010 and 73 days in Eastern Pacific Ocean. 2011. These measures agreed upon by the IATTC aim to reduce fishing n the eightieth meeting of the effort especially for big-eye tuna and IIATTC, which took place last June yellow-fin tuna,whose population in La Jolla, California, fifteen of the are currently below levels that would sixteen member countries agreed to produce maximum sustainable yield. a series of conservation measures Colombia had proposed a gradual based on IATTC scientific studies fishery closure, meaning, different to address progressive deterioration closure dates in turn for indivi- of tuna stocks. After the summit dual vessels. The downside of this and through out the whole month, approach is that it does not lead to Colombia discussed the adoption of a reduction in fishing effort nor to these measures for Colombia flag fis- a decreased mortality rate and fish hery vessels, one month later the go- population recovery. A collabora- vernment announced the good news; tive regional fisheries’ management a demonstration of environmental approach is essential for species like leadership by making the IATTC tuna that are highly migratory and resolutions a unanimous agree- are not exclusive to the jurisdictional ment of all 16 member countries. waters of any single country.

December 15 care about. The community

was launched two years ago © WWF A 19-year-oldColombianstudent by IUCN and WWF, and it is supported by Nokia. won lastyear’s connect2earth The winner, Gustavo grandprize Nicolás Páez Salamanca, was distinguished by the A 19-year-old Colombian student, pursuing second year of quality and diversity of his economics,was 2009 grand prize winner of an international contributions, as well as his youth competition running on connect2earth, the green online high level of engagement in and mobile community. the community. As part of his award, connect2earth.org links young the winner traveled to the Danish people with the world’s top envi- capital and got hands-on experience ronmental experts to talk about at the 15th United Nations Climate headline-grabbing topics that they Change Conference (COP15).

25 n e w s

August 3 Colombia, One step closer to IWC

In 2008 Colombia began all the legal proceedings required to

become a member of the International Whaling Commission © Alianza Colombiana por las Ballenas (IWC), aiming to vote against whale hunting and trade issues. In 2009 the Colombian Whale Alliance was created, an advocacy group led by WWF Colombia and supported by local and international NGOs including IFAW, Conservation International, Greenpeace and the foundations Yubarta, Malpelo, Omacha, MarViva and Natibo.

fter being ratified by the Senate Law and Chair, the Aprocess is reaching its final stage and is expected to Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, be completed in the next three months. The pending step Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic and Uruguay, is one for the statute to be approved by Colombian Government of the most important bodies within the Commission is the review by the Supreme Court. for actions such as: maintaining the moratorium on The entry of Colombia to the IWC strengthens the commercial hunting, strengthening conservation efforts BloqueLatinoamericanoConservacionista or Buenos Aires and promoting research through non-lethal methods. Group, which along with Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile,

September 2 Conservation Alliance for the Andean-Amazon Piedmont © Luz Eliana BOSSA© Luz / WWF Colombia On September 2nd, at a public event in the Sibundoy Valley, a place with special religious significance to indigenous communities in the Andean-Amazon Piedmont, the heads of WWF Colombia and the Regional Environmental Authority for the Colombian Amazon (CorpoAmazonia), signed a one-year agreement to develop and implement a joint environmental

services’ strategy for the Colombian Amazon. In the Andes, the expansion of the agricultural frontier and cattle ranching are the main causes of deforestation and biodiversity loss. irst efforts will involve creating incentives to reduce F deforestation and land conversion for cattle ranching With this new agreement with CorpoAmazonia, the as well as improving connectivity of Protected Areas Colombian Government will provide up to US$500,000 and a management plan for the main watershed of the to WWF as co-funding for our work in Putumayo. Putumayo River.

26 n e w s

October 14

Bocachico, primary source of income for communities along the Colombia, home to more than Magdalena, Sinú and Atrato basin, is now listed on the National 500 migratory species, launches Red Book as an endangered species due to over-exploitation. A drop of 90% in the catch of this migratory species in the last conservation plan to keep their 25 years has put one the most important food resources of the routes and habitats country in jeopardy. Phoebastria irrorata © James FRANKHAM / WWF-Canon

or this and many other reasons, of Environment, Housing and Te- F Colombia, recognized among the rritorial Development (Mavdt) and five most bio-diverse countries on the WWF Colombia, who led the process. planet, is ready to take key actions to Putting together this Plan inclu- preserve the Bocachico and 500 other ded the construction of a systematic species identified and catalogued wi- baseline as an attempt to define more thin the National Migratory Species precisely the list of species that can Plan, a publication launched on the be considered migratory in this South 14th of October in Bogota. American nation. The document, titled National The result: 549 species identified migratory species plan: Diagnosis and as migratory. However, the Plan is identification of actions for conservation not focused only on safeguarding and sustainable management of Colom- these species, their itineraries and ha- bian biodiversity migratory species, is bitats, but also on compiling existing the outcome of hard work of more knowledge about the basic ecological than 34 institutions and 64 people, aspects of these animals, the threats including researchers and environ- confronting their populations, and mental lobbyists, that got involved the means of conservation that have in this project pursuing a common been taken or are required to prevent goal: protecting the national natural and mitigate such tendencies. wealth. Amongst them the Ministry

27 publications Carmen Ana Dereix Publications and Brand Officer [email protected]

Plants and Wild Animals Used by the Tio Silirio Community Choco, Colombia

his book shows the results of the study “Analysis Tof the species of wildlife and plants used by the Produced by: Tio Silirio community in the lower San Juan, the Ecofondo working with Colombian Pacific, aiming towards the formulation the Dutch government, the indigenous community of and practice of standards of use.” Tio Silirio and WWF Isbn: 978-958-8353-13-5 94 pages. (21,5 x 28 cms)

Plan for the management of the Ramsar site Delta of the Baudo River

his document presents a synthesis of the formu- Tlation of the Plan for Management for the delta in this river as an instrument for its sustainable use. Produced by: In this process participated the councils of the Siviru, The ministry of environment, housing and Usaraga and Pizarro communities. local development, the Ecosystems Directory and WWF ISBN: 978-958-8353-12-8 24 pages (21,5 x 28 cms)

Climate Treaty of Copenhagen

his document outlines a proposal and vision for the Copenhagen Agreement, and further aims to Produced by: T David Susuki Foundation, begin an international debate. The information and Germanwach e. V., the analysis collected in this document comes from Greenpeace International, the positions and ideas developed by the participants IndyACT, the League of Independent, National and observers. Ecological Center of Ukraine and WWF International 64 pages (21,5 x 28 cms)

28 publications

National Plan for Migratory Species Diagnosis and Identification of the actions for the conservation and the sustainable management of the migratory species in Colombia

his document defines the different lines of action, goals and activities that should be un- Produced by: T The Ministry of dertaken with the active participation of all those Environment, Housing and involved in the management of the natural resources Local Development, the in the country. Ecosystems Directory and WWF Isbn: 978-958-8353-11-1 214 pages (21,5 x 28 cms)

School for the Conservation of the Andean Amazonian Piedmont Modula 1: Political Formation and Citizenship (52 pages) Modula 2: Territorial Planning (74 pages) Modula 3: Communications (50 pages) Modula 4: Pressures and Threats (105 pages) Modula 5: Systems of sustainable production (96 pages)

Produced by: National Parks of Colombian Office, Natura Foundation (Ecuador), European Union, British Ministry for International Development and WWF Isbn: 978-958-8353-07-4 (21,5 x 28 cms)

his school has been a collective exercise to T generate tools and knowledge for the social leaders, Indigenous territories and communities in making decisions.

29 Tribute to Tony Hare, communications advisor for WWF. His work, dedication and creativity inspired many in the organization. This picture was taken during his field trip to Bahia Malaga, Colombia.

Julio C. Herrera / Fundación Yubarta Design:

Karla Miliani Media Consultant WWF is one of the world’s largest and most experienced [email protected] independent conservation organizations, with almost 5 WWF Colombia million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. Translation: Toby Muse WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s [email protected] natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by: WWF Tel: +57 (2) 558 25 77 • Conserving the world’s biological diversity Fax: +57 (2) 558 25 88 • Ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is Cra. 35 No. 4A - 25 sustainable • Promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful [email protected] consumption. Cali - Colombia www.wwf.org.co