Colombia and Ecuador fight to save vital wetlands amid drought
In the high-altitude wetlands of the Andes, known as paramos, rural communities are rallying to defend these crucial ecosystems that regulate water cycles. The fight comes in response to severe water shortages and energy rationing in both nations, exacerbated by a strong El Niño weather pattern and the impacts of climate change.
As drought conditions prevail, both Colombia and Ecuador, heavily reliant on hydroelectric power, are facing significant challenges. In Bogotá, the capital city of nearly 10 million, rotating water rationing has become the norm, while Ecuador’s energy grid struggles under the strain, leading to power cuts to conserve water in reservoirs.
“Deforestation in the Amazon, combined with climate change and soil degradation, has altered water dynamics,” explains Patricia Bejarano, director of the sustainable high mountain landscapes program at Conservation International’s Colombian chapter. This environmental crisis has prompted grassroots activists, supported by organizations like Conservation International, to take action to restore native plant life in the paramos.
The Andes are home to most of the world’s paramos, which play a vital role in absorbing and gradually releasing rainfall. These wetlands not only help maintain local water supplies but also support agricultural sustainability.
In the rural community of El Tablon near Quito, 13 local residents are dedicated to rearing native polylepis trees in a nursery established by The Nature Conservancy. “These plants are essential for conserving water,” says Diana Sopalo, 29, a nursery worker. The initiative has led to the planting of 40,000 trees, with plans for an additional 100,000. Sopalo refers to the nursery as “a water factory,” emphasizing the trees’ ability to capture and slowly release water, replenishing the earth during dry spells.
Paola Fuentes, a water analysis specialist at FONAG, underscores the importance of the paramos for Quito’s water supply. “Conserving these wetlands is essential for the low areas in the city,” she states. With a dedicated team of 26 rangers, FONAG actively monitors and protects the region, ensuring its vital water resources are sustained.
In Colombia’s Guatavita region, local activists and authorities are working together to expand the protected area of Vista Hermosa de Monquentiva within the Chingaza paramo. Doris Ramos, an environmental advocate for the Guatavita mayor’s office, highlights the significance of protecting native species like frailejones, known for their water-conserving properties. “Restoring this ecosystem offers great potential for water and biodiversity,” she says, noting the area’s vulnerability to climate change.
As Colombia prepares to host a United Nations conference on biodiversity in Cali later this month, the plight of the paramos serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to protect natural resources. The struggles faced by these rural communities illustrate the critical intersection of environmental conservation, water security, and climate resilience.
