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See - Sada Elbalad
01-08-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Colombia Sees 43% Surge in Deforestation
Israa Farhan Colombia has reported a sharp 43% rise in deforestation in 2024, reversing the downward trend recorded in previous years. According to figures released by the Environment Ministry and IDEAM, the country lost around 113,600 hectares of forest last year, with the Amazon region suffering the most severe damage. The data marks a significant setback after 2023 witnessed a 36% drop in forest loss, reaching the lowest rate in over two decades. Environment Minister Lena Estrada confirmed that the Amazon rainforest accounted for more than 65% of total deforestation, with an estimated 75,000 hectares destroyed. She described the Amazon as a fragile area, home to vulnerable communities now facing increasing environmental pressures. The government attributed the rise in forest destruction to a combination of illegal land grabbing for pastures, the expansion of cattle ranching, unauthorized construction, and the growth of illicit crops such as coca. Climate change also played a role, with wildfires during prolonged droughts accelerating the forest loss. Protected national parks were not spared. Areas like Tinigua, La Macarena, and Chiribiquete, Colombia's UNESCO-listed heritage site, also experienced notable deforestation in 2024. Despite the recent spike, officials highlighted that deforestation levels remain below those recorded in 2021. Ghisliane Echeverry, head of IDEAM, noted that Colombia still maintains a net reduction in forest loss compared to that baseline year, continuing an overall downward trend that began in 2022. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Arts & Culture Lebanese Media: Fayrouz Collapses after Death of Ziad Rahbani Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
DW
31-07-2025
- General
- DW
Colombia deforestation surges 43%, Amazon region worst hit – DW – 08/01/2025
Colombia recorded a sharp uptick in deforestation in the country's Amazon rainforest for last year. The expansion of lifestock farming and illegal construction were among the factors authorities blamed for the increase. Colombia's government said on Thursday that deforestation in the South American country increased as much as 43% in 2024 compared to the year before. The Amazon rainforest region in the country was the worst hit. Overall, some 113,608 hectares (about 280,700 acres) of forest were destroyed last year, according to data presented by the Environment Ministry and the IDEAM meteorological agency. The uptick marks a sharp reversal after 2023 saw deforestation go down by 36% year-over-year, recording its lowest level in 23 years. "Deforestation persists," Environment Minister Lena Estrada said at a press conference in Bogota. "The most affected territory is the Amazon, a fragile region where vulnerable populations also live." The Amazon region accounted for more than 65% of the total loss, with some 75,000 hectares destroyed. Authorities blamed increasing land-grabbing for pastures, the expansion of livestock farming, illegal constructions, and more growing of illicit crops such as coca for the rise in deforestation. Estrada said it was also partly driven by wildfires during a drought intensified by climate change. Deforestation also rose inside protected national parks, including the regions of Tinigua, La Macarena and Chiribiquete, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite the 2024 spike, deforestation in Colombia remains lower than 2021 levels, continuing an overall downward trend since 2022. Ghisliane Echeverry, director of the IDEAM meteorological agency, said Colombia still maintains a net reduction in forest loss, compared to the baseline year of 2021. Colombia is one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity in the world, home to thousands of plant and animal species. It has approximately 59.1 million hectares of forest, covering more than half its territory. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
CTV News
31-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Amazon deforestation surges in Colombia, reversing historic gains
BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia's government reported on Thursday a sharp overall rise in deforestation in the country's Amazon rainforest for last year, reversing much of the progress made during a historic low in 2023. The national meteorological agency said pasture expansion for cattle, illicit crops, illegal mining, and unregulated infrastructure development were to blame. The data was released just a month after Colombia's environment ministry had noted a drop in the destructive practice in the first quarter of this year, citing stronger community coordination and a crackdown on environmental crime. The overall figures for last year show that the country lost 113,608 hectares (about 280,700 acres) of forest in 2024 — a 43 per cent increase compared to the year before, when deforestation had dropped to its lowest level in over two decades. The data presented by Environment Minister Lena Estrada Añokazi and the IDEAM meteorological agency, show the heaviest losses were concentrated in the Amazon region. 'These figures represent the work and the commitment this government has made to preserve forests and biodiversity,' Estrada said. 'However, all the efforts we have made have not been enough, because deforestation persists.' The worst-affected areas were the regions of Meta, Caqueta, Guaviare and Putumayo — all within the so-called Amazon Arc, a high-deforestation corridor where illegal cattle ranching, land grabbing and road construction are expanding. According to IDEAM, more than 77,000 hectares were cleared in the Amazon alone, accounting for 65 per cent of all forest loss in 2024. Estrada said the rise in deforestation last year was partly driven by wildfires during a drought intensified by climate change. 'The most affected territory is the Amazon, a fragile region where vulnerable populations also live,' said Estrada. Deforestation also rose inside protected national parks, including the regions of Tinigua, La Macarena and Chiribiquete, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. IDEAM Director Ghisliane Echeverry said that despite the uptick in 2024, Colombia still maintains a net reduction in forest loss, compared to the baseline year of 2021. In 2023, Colombia recorded its lowest deforestation level since monitoring began, a drop widely credited to better enforcement, Indigenous partnerships, and demobilization of armed groups in parts of the Amazon. But early warning systems had signaled a rebound in forest clearing during the first half of 2024. Still, despite the spike, deforestation remains lower than 2021 levels, continuing an overall downward trend since 2022. ___ Steven Grattan, The Associated Press
Winnipeg Free Press
31-07-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Amazon deforestation surges in Colombia, reversing historic gains
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia's government reported on Thursday a sharp overall rise in deforestation in the country's Amazon rainforest for last year, reversing much of the progress made during a historic low in 2023. The national meteorological agency said pasture expansion for cattle, illicit crops, illegal mining, and unregulated infrastructure development were to blame. The data was released just a month after Colombia's environment ministry had noted a drop in the destructive practice in the first quarter of this year, citing stronger community coordination and a crackdown on environmental crime. The overall figures for last year show that the country lost 113,608 hectares (about 280,700 acres) of forest in 2024 — a 43% increase compared to the year before, when deforestation had dropped to its lowest level in over two decades. The data presented by Environment Minister Lena Estrada Añokazi and the IDEAM meteorological agency, show the heaviest losses were concentrated in the Amazon region. 'These figures represent the work and the commitment this government has made to preserve forests and biodiversity,' Estrada said. 'However, all the efforts we have made have not been enough, because deforestation persists.' The worst-affected areas were the regions of Meta, Caqueta, Guaviare and Putumayo — all within the so-called Amazon Arc, a high-deforestation corridor where illegal cattle ranching, land grabbing and road construction are expanding. According to IDEAM, more than 77,000 hectares were cleared in the Amazon alone, accounting for 65% of all forest loss in 2024. Estrada said the rise in deforestation last year was partly driven by wildfires during a drought intensified by climate change. 'The most affected territory is the Amazon, a fragile region where vulnerable populations also live,' said Estrada. Deforestation also rose inside protected national parks, including the regions of Tinigua, La Macarena and Chiribiquete, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. IDEAM Director Ghisliane Echeverry said that despite the uptick in 2024, Colombia still maintains a net reduction in forest loss, compared to the baseline year of 2021. Wednesdays What's next in arts, life and pop culture. In 2023, Colombia recorded its lowest deforestation level since monitoring began, a drop widely credited to better enforcement, Indigenous partnerships, and demobilization of armed groups in parts of the Amazon. But early warning systems had signaled a rebound in forest clearing during the first half of 2024. Still, despite the spike, deforestation remains lower than 2021 levels, continuing an overall downward trend since 2022. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
31-07-2025
- Climate
Amazon deforestation surges in Colombia, reversing historic gains
BOGOTA, Colombia -- Colombia's government reported on Thursday a sharp overall rise in deforestation in the country's Amazon rainforest for last year, reversing much of the progress made during a historic low in 2023. The national meteorological agency said pasture expansion for cattle, illicit crops, illegal mining, and unregulated infrastructure development were to blame. The data was released just a month after Colombia's environment ministry had noted a drop in the destructive practice in the first quarter of this year, citing stronger community coordination and a crackdown on environmental crime. The overall figures for last year show that the country lost 113,608 hectares (about 280,700 acres) of forest in 2024 — a 43% increase compared to the year before, when deforestation had dropped to its lowest level in over two decades. The data presented by Environment Minister Lena Estrada Añokazi and the IDEAM meteorological agency, show the heaviest losses were concentrated in the Amazon region. 'These figures represent the work and the commitment this government has made to preserve forests and biodiversity,' Estrada said. 'However, all the efforts we have made have not been enough, because deforestation persists.' The worst-affected areas were the regions of Meta, Caqueta, Guaviare and Putumayo — all within the so-called Amazon Arc, a high-deforestation corridor where illegal cattle ranching, land grabbing and road construction are expanding. According to IDEAM, more than 77,000 hectares were cleared in the Amazon alone, accounting for 65% of all forest loss in 2024. Estrada said the rise in deforestation last year was partly driven by wildfires during a drought intensified by climate change. 'The most affected territory is the Amazon, a fragile region where vulnerable populations also live,' said Estrada. Deforestation also rose inside protected national parks, including the regions of Tinigua, La Macarena and Chiribiquete, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. IDEAM Director Ghisliane Echeverry said that despite the uptick in 2024, Colombia still maintains a net reduction in forest loss, compared to the baseline year of 2021. In 2023, Colombia recorded its lowest deforestation level since monitoring began, a drop widely credited to better enforcement, Indigenous partnerships, and demobilization of armed groups in parts of the Amazon. But early warning systems had signaled a rebound in forest clearing during the first half of 2024. Still, despite the spike, deforestation remains lower than 2021 levels, continuing an overall downward trend since 2022. ___
