BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) 鈥� Colombia saw a 33% drop in deforestation in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period , the environment ministry said Thursday, citing stronger and a crackdown on environmental crime.
Speaking at a press conference, Environment Minister Lena Estrada A帽okazi said deforestation fell from 40,219 hectares in early 2024 to 27,000 hectares this year. The government identified , including 13 in the Amazon and others in regions like Catatumbo, Arauca and the Pacific north.
鈥淚n the Amazon鈥檚 national parks, deforestation dropped by 54% ... which is a very good result,鈥� Estrada said, highlighting gains in Amazonian parks Tinigua, Chiribiquete and La Macarena.
The Amazon remains Colombia鈥檚 most affected region, accounting for 69% of the country's deforestation. The departments 鈥� Colombia鈥檚 main administrative divisions 鈥� of Meta, Caquet谩 and Guaviare saw the biggest declines, while Putumayo had a slight increase.
Estrada attributed the decline to the government鈥檚 integrated plan to curb deforestation, which includes community agreements, institutional strengthening, and joint operations with the Defense Ministry and Attorney General鈥檚 Office.
A recent report by Colombia鈥檚 inspector general noted that while deforestation dropped overall, remains intense, with illegal coca cultivation and unregulated mining advancing into national parks. The independent watchdog said that between October 2024 and March 2025, nearly 88,900 hectares of forest were lost nationwide, much of it in areas designated for environmental conservation.
The minister said the efforts have led to key arrests, including of individuals tied to the environmental sector.
Looking ahead, Estrada outlined a territorial action plan to further engage local and Indigenous authorities. A series of regional meetings is set to begin in June, starting in Villavicencio with Amazon and Orinoquia leaders.
Deforestation in Colombia is mostly driven by land grabbing, illegal road building, cattle ranching, illicit mining and coca cultivation, the raw ingredient to produce cocaine.
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Steven Grattan, The Associated Press
