Colombia deforestation surges 43%, Amazon region worst hit

Deforestation in Colombia rose by 43% in 2024, with over 113,000 hectares lost—mainly in the Amazon. The increase was driven by land grabbing, livestock farming, illegal crops, and climate change-fueled wildfires. Protected areas like Chiribiquete were also affected. Despite the spike, deforestation remains below 2021 levels.

Colombia's government announced on Thursday that deforestation across the South American country surged by as much as 43% in 2024 compared to the previous year, raising concerns among environmentalists and government agencies about the ongoing threats to biodiversity and climate resilience.

The most severely affected area was the Amazon rainforest region, a critical ecological zone not only for Colombia but for the planet due to its role in absorbing carbon dioxide and supporting global biodiversity.

According to official data released by the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the IDEAM meteorological agency, an estimated 113,608 hectares — approximately 280,700 acres — of forest were lost in Colombia last year. This sharp rise represents a dramatic reversal of the trend observed in 2023, when the country had celebrated a 36% year-over-year drop in deforestation, reaching its lowest deforestation rate in 23 years.

"Deforestation persists," Environment Minister Lena Estrada stated during a press conference held in the capital, Bogotá. “The most affected territory is the Amazon, a fragile region where vulnerable populations also live and depend on the forest for their livelihood.”

The Amazon accounted for over 65% of the total forest loss, with about 75,000 hectares cleared in 2024 alone. This vast region, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," plays a vital role in regulating climate patterns and sustaining indigenous and rural communities who depend on its resources.

Government authorities cited several contributing factors for the uptick in deforestation. These included increasing land grabbing to create pastureland for cattle, expansion of livestock farming, illegal construction of roads and buildings, and the continued growth of illicit crops — especially coca, used in the production of cocaine. These illegal economic activities are often carried out by armed groups or criminal organizations that exploit unregulated or weakly governed territories.

Estrada further explained that the rise in forest destruction was also driven by wildfires, many of which were intensified by prolonged drought conditions. These droughts, in turn, were exacerbated by the effects of climate change, making the forests more vulnerable to ignition and spread of fire.

In a particularly alarming development, officials noted that deforestation had increased even within areas that are supposed to be protected by law. National parks such as Tinigua, La Macarena, and Chiribiquete — the last of which holds UNESCO World Heritage status due to its ecological and cultural significance — all saw forest degradation in 2024.

Despite this alarming spike, the government emphasized that the overall trend since 2022 still shows progress. Deforestation rates remain lower than in 2021, which is considered a baseline year for national environmental monitoring. Ghisliane Echeverry, director of IDEAM, reassured the public that Colombia continues to maintain a net reduction in forest loss when compared to 2021 levels, suggesting that long-term mitigation efforts may still be yielding results despite recent setbacks.

Colombia remains one of the world’s most biodiverse nations, home to a remarkable range of ecosystems, flora, and fauna. The country hosts thousands of species of birds, mammals, insects, and plants — many of them endemic and some endangered — making forest conservation critical not only for climate goals but also for preserving global biodiversity.

The country currently has approximately 59.1 million hectares of forest, which accounts for more than half of its total land area. Environmental officials stressed that protecting these forests is essential for sustaining Colombia’s ecological balance, rural economies, and international commitments to combating climate change and biodiversity loss.