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Colombian deforestation increases by 43%, fueled by land grabs and fires

According to the data released by the Colombian Environment Ministry on Thursday, deforestation increased in Colombia last year. The destruction of 113,608 ha (1,136 sq km) was mainly in the Amazon region. This is a 43% increase over the previous year.

This is a dramatic reversal from 2023, when the forest area destroyed fell by 36% compared to the previous year. It now stands at 79.256 hectares (793 sq km), its lowest level for 23 years.

Lena Estrada, Environment Minister in Bogota, said that "deforestation continues." "The Amazon is the most affected area, which is a fragile region."

Estrada stated that the increase in 2024 is partly due to forest fires sparked by a drought fueled by climate changes.

She said that the main drivers were land grabs for pastures, expansion of livestock farming and illegal road construction. Growing illicit crops like coca leaves was also a major factor.

More than 65%, or 75,000 hectares, of the total losses were in the Amazon region.

Colombia has the highest biodiversity in the entire world. It is home to thousands plant and animal species. However, it is losing large areas of forest every year due to deforestation.

More than half of the South American nation is covered by forest. Reporting by Nelson Bocanegra, Luis Jaime Acosta and Natalia Siniawski. Editing by Brendan O'Boyle, Sarah Morland and Brendan O'Boyle.

(source: Reuters)