Every year, thousands of hectares of forest in the Colombian Amazon are illegally destroyed. And each year, there are few controls to curb the practices used by illegal groups to export timber to other countries.

The illegal logging of trees in Colombia is an environmental problem that has reached alarming proportions, leaving millions of dollars for these new “cartels” and major effects on biodiversity and deep impacts on the global climate.

To export timber from regions such as Chocó and Orinoquía, it is necessary to go deep into the Colombian forest, but not with machete in hand, but with heavy equipment. Machines that destroy everything in their path, destroying the habitat of several species of birds and amphibians, without even reaching the site where they will begin to cut the timber for export.

And when illegal logging begins, the environmental damage begins as illegal logging releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming. According to the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM), deforestation in Colombia is contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.

But getting there requires human strength, men and women leaving their homes and now facing forced displacement and increased poverty.

Back to port

Now with the wood loaded on trucks and bound for the nearest port, the route is the same. The same route by which they returned, but this time crushing for the second time the ecosystem that might have survived.

The habitat has already been destroyed and the species have already abandoned their wild life. The environment is also becoming polluted. This time the trucks are returning with lumber and heavier machinery.

Some workers will not return.

Control and legislation

The Colombian government has strong legislation for this illegal logging.

In 2021, the Colombian government enacted Law 2111, which amends the Penal Code to include specific environmental crimes and increase penalties. This law makes illegal logging a serious crime, with penalties ranging from significant fines to imprisonment for those responsible.

Article 333 of this law establishes strict penalties for those who engage in illegal logging activities, underscoring the importance of protecting our forests.

But these laws and modifications are not enough to combat this type of environmental crime. The creation of protected areas and the use of advanced monitoring technologies, such as satellite imagery and drones, are necessary.

Internationally, there are many organizations such as WWF and Greenpeace that strive to support these efforts and raise awareness of the importance of forest conservation, but their work is very limited.

illegal logging in Colombia is a complex challenge that requires a multifaceted response. Without more drastic and effective measures, the future of Colombia’s forests and the communities that depend on them is dark. However, with a coordinated approach that includes the participation of all sectors of society, governments, citizens, and especially youth, it is possible to reverse this phenomenon.

@maite-burgos Orlando, Florida,