Colombia has expanded its Serrania de Chiribiquete National Park in the south of the country to a total of 4.3 million hectares, making it roughly half the size of Austria. The Colombian government announced the expansion earlier this week, adding 1.5 million hectares to the protected area. The park is home to countless species of animals and plants, as well as various archaeological sites. Over 20,000 rock paintings have been found in the area, many of which are over 10,000 years old. Additionally, there are still people living in isolation in the forests of Colombia who have no knowledge of the modern world. It was important to protect these people, as well as the landscape, animals, and plants.
The Serrania de Chiribiquete National Park is named after the table-top mountain landscape and is located in a transitional zone that connects four different ecosystems: the Andes, the Orinoco savannah, the mountain range, and the Amazon. The park is of great importance to the UNESCO, as it is home to numerous indigenous tribes and endangered species such as jaguars, tapirs, and pink river dolphins. The UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage Site shortly before its expansion. However, experts fear that the park may not be able to withstand global warming and the worldwide tree die-off, which could lead to the extinction of many plant species.
Colombia is expected to experience significant temperature increases in the coming decades, and many plant species may not be able to adapt to the warmer temperatures. It is crucial to protect the Serrania de Chiribiquete National Park and its biodiversity to ensure the survival of these species. The expansion of the park is a positive step towards preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Colombia.
