Bogotá’s wetlands are critically endangered due to urban expansion, pollution, and climate change. Droughts and floods have disrupted the local water cycle, raising concerns about infrastructure and public health. Activists and environmental experts advocate for restoration and protection of these vital ecosystems, emphasizing their cultural significance and ecological role. Recent political attention suggests a shift towards prioritizing environmental safeguards in city planning.
Last year, Bogotá experienced severe drought followed by heavy rainfall, resulting in extreme water level fluctuations. Consequently, authorities enforced water rationing and neighborhoods like Suba Rincón faced compounded effects from recurrent floods due to a combination of deforestation, El Niño effects, and climate change. The city’s infrastructure is under strain as residents grapple with the financial impact of these environmental challenges.
Moreover, urban pollution has significantly degraded Bogotá’s water quality over the years. Residents express growing concern about the state of their living environment, highlighting issues like toxicity and health risks associated with contaminated water. Héctor Lorenzana, a long-time wetland resident, noted, “The water is deeply contaminated. The city’s perspective was that the water bodies were there to drain the sewage from our homes. Nowadays, even the sound of the water has changed.”
Bogotá’s ecosystem consists of 11 officially recognized wetlands, known as District Ecological Wetland Parks (PEDH), which play a crucial role in regulating freshwater supplies and providing flood control. While these ecosystems are significant to the local biodiversity, urban expansion and poor city planning have severely reduced wetland areas to only about 700 hectares, a mere fraction of their original size.
Water systems in the city have faced severe disruption, as rivers have been canalized to accommodate urban development which has failed to cope with increased rainfall. According to biologist Orlando Vargas Ríos, this ineffective system exacerbates flooding, highlighting the need for restoration of natural landscapes to maintain hydrological functions.
Historically, urbanization in Bogotá has overlooked the importance of wetlands and the cultural significance they hold for the Muisca Indigenous communities, who regard these areas as sacred. Alejandro Samaca, a Muisca defender, emphasized the potential loss of cultural heritage tied to traditional practices that rely on the wetlands, stating, “Without our traditional medicine found in the wetlands, we will lose our culture.”
To combat the adverse effects of climate change on wetlands, experts advocate for restoring marshlands and cleaning up contaminated rivers. Environmental policies are slowly gaining traction, and recent floods have shifted political focus towards safeguarding nature alongside urban development.
Former environment minister Susana Muhamad raised alarms regarding urban projects threatening wetland ecosystems, emphasizing the need to improve water connections in these regions. Activists are actively opposing certain construction projects that jeopardize wetland ecosystems, particularly concerning impermeable infrastructure that disrupts water drainage and biodiversity.
A key focus of community activism involves resisting a controversial project involving construction of extensive concrete bridges, previously promoted as ecological solutions but ultimately harmful to the wetland ecosystem. Though protective measures were imposed, ongoing construction projects illustrate the struggle to balance development with environmental preservation.
Activists advocate for investing in wetland protection rather than costly restoration efforts after damage has occurred. Oscar Manrique, from the forestry directorate, deemed restoration too expensive compared to protection of existing wetland areas, which is crucial for future generations. Lorenzana voiced hope for a better outcome, expressing a desire for future generations to experience the natural beauty he once cherished amidst the wetlands.
The plight of Bogotá’s wetlands highlights the urgent need for environmental restoration to mitigate flooding and pollution challenges exacerbated by urbanization and climate change. Protecting and restoring these ecosystems is essential for safeguarding biodiversity, supporting local communities, and addressing public health concerns. Stronger political will and community activism are pivotal in advocating for sustainable urban development that respects and integrates natural ecosystems. Efforts to revive these wetlands not only aim to preserve cultural heritage but also to ensure a sustainable future for Bogotá’s residents.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
