500 Hectares of Forest Are Cut Down Every Day in Colombia
According to Colombia’s Office of the Comptroller General, an average of 170,000 hectares of forest are deforested each year — that’s around 500 hectares lost every single day.
Deforestation in Colombia has worsened in recent years. A statement published on March 22 by the Comptroller General’s Office revealed alarming figures showing the scale of forest loss across the country.
“Climate change is hitting us hard, and nearly 60% of the CO₂ emissions produced in Colombia come from deforestation, particularly from the fires being set,” said Gabriel Jurado, Environmental Delegate of the Comptroller General’s Office.
In 1990, Colombia had approximately 65 million hectares of forest. Today, that figure has dropped to around 59 million, meaning 6 million hectares have been lost in just a few decades.
The Irreparable Damage of Deforestation
The destruction of forests not only means the loss of trees — it breaks the biotic connectivity cycles that sustain entire ecosystems. The Comptroller’s Office warns that if deforestation continues at its current pace, the damage could become irreversible.
What Are the Main Causes?
The Comptroller’s report identifies three main factors driving deforestation in Colombia:
Incomplete implementation of national environmental policies and management plans.
Insufficient state funding allocated to address deforestation and enforce environmental protection.
Weak enforcement and oversight of forestry permits and land-use regulations by regional authorities.
What Is Being Done?
The Colombian government set a goal to reduce deforestation by 30% by 2022, as part of the National Development Plan: “Pact for Colombia, Pact for Equity.” The Comptroller General’s Office continues to monitor progress toward this goal using data provided by IDEAM (the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies).
The Environmental Delegate also confirmed that the agency is auditing the performance of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, along with the Regional Autonomous Corporations and National Natural Parks, to ensure that environmental commitments are being met.
However, some regions remain deeply concerning — particularly Chocó, one of the departments with the highest deforestation rates. In 2019 alone, over 11,000 hectares were cleared, with the municipality of Riosucio accounting for more than half of the total.
A Call to Action
Colombia’s forests are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, home to thousands of species found nowhere else. Protecting them is not only vital for climate stability but also for the future of life itself.
Every hectare preserved means oxygen, water, and balance for our planet.
Together, we can help stop deforestation — one tree, one forest, one action at a time. 🌎💚