Photos from this story
.jpeg?auto=webp)
Restoring sacred land
New incentives to protect precious wetlands in northern Colombia
Group Title (Optional)
Español
La Mojana region in northern Colombia has two problems with water—either there is way too much of it, or way too little.
Alternating between continuous flooding and damaging droughts, the region’s residents—about 400,000 people who are among Colombia’s poorest communities—have found it difficult to protect their health and their environment, develop sustainable incomes and adapt to a rapidly changing climate.
Models predict floods and droughts will become more extreme and intense, with rising temperatures and longer dry seasons, followed by sudden, torrential rains.
The inland delta comprises 500,000 fertile hectares in a complex of rivers and wetlands that nourish some of the world’s richest biodiversity. Like many vital wetlands, they face constant threat. About one percent of all the world’s wetlands are lost every year. In the last century 64 percent have vanished—a rate faster than deforestation.
Group Title (Optional)
In response, the Colombian Government called on UNDP to work with local communities including Indigenous populations to support them in taking dramatic steps.
A US$8.5 million pilot project funded by the Adaptation Fund called, ‘Reducing Risk and Vulnerability to Climate Change in the Region of La Depresión Momposina in Colombia’, was launched in 2013. The project took a bold approach in harnessing community responses in helping address the region’s increasing climate vulnerability by focusing on wetland restoration, local livelihoods, and infrastructure.
It’s given entrepreneurs such as Raquel Castillo Puentes the support and incentive to establish a plant nursery and contribute to her community’s rich natural resources.
Group Title (Optional)
"When they arrived here to tell me about the project, I was excited, that's why I told them that they could put the nursery on my plot. I go there and take a look at the plants, water them and pass the day with them, I even have flowers planted there." - Raquel Castillo Puentes, entrepreneur
Group Title (Optional)
The eight year project is improving water quality and ensuring the region’s precious biodiversity. It is championing a local approach to adaptation that understands that the protection of its wetlands is an investment into its own climate resilience. Rescuing local traditions and knowledge provides a key basis for this.
La Mojana communities have restored about three square kilometres and Raquel alone has planted 1,124 trees on 1.2 hectares, with trees such as American oil palm, laurel and pimiento.
She is just one of about 1,665 women who have been trained in conservation techniques to both restore and preserve their ancestral home and provide for their families.
Group Title (Optional)
“They taught us so many things that we didn't know. Now we have a strong understanding that we can pass on to other women. It's amazing because we've already made progress. As women, we've been able to support our families and children, even in times when finding employment is tough. This has really helped improve our household situations,” - Katia Herrera Beleño.
Group Title (Optional)
Incessant flooding followed by a longer summer season has also taken a toll on the quality of drinking water for the region’s residents. Collecting rainwater in has made a tremendous difference to the Ventanilla community, particularly during the summer months. The solution has been relatively simple; harvesting the rainwater than falls in deluges and storing it until it’s needed, particularly as surface water begins to evaporate during the summer months.
The rainwater tanks have made 100 percent of a difference from past water sources that we used to drink. We store the water for us to drink during the summer months. We use the poor quality tap water for other household uses. The water tank provides water for five months lasting the full summer season. It has been excellent that the project has arrived to La Mojana and particularly to the Ventanilla community and its surrounding areas.” - Amado Enrique Torrente Vega, Ventanilla resident
Group Title (Optional)
The Green Climate Fund-supported project is a very strong example of what transformative, sustainable, and innovative adaptation looks like. It values local knowledge and traditions while focusing on addressing community needs, such as water and food security and livelihoods as they become more vulnerable under climate change.
The project is a true story of change from community and institutional perspective. It has built a green economy in La Mojana, with more than 1,000 people now engaged in green jobs, that are also restoring their ecosystem. The project has become public policy, as demonstrated from committed national funding that will go beyond the project’s close. More critically, it has influenced national and community policies.
The government has dedicated public funding to it through the national carbon tax. Municipalities have invested their own budgets, exceeding the co-financing that had been originally committed. Local governments have informed their own investments based on the climate information products developed through both the Adaptation Fund and GCF projects.
Group Title (Optional)
“Our work has marked a paradigm shift in the way environmental work is approached in La Mojana. Colombia has moved from an approach focused on strong infrastructure works to contain water to the implementation of a comprehensive model of nature-based solutions that strengthens climate resilience through community-led green infrastructure.” - Jimena Puyana, Manager, Environment and Sustainable Development, UNDP Colombia