Protecting Nariño’s Páramos: Understanding the Main Risks

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Ecological Importance of Nariño’s Páramos

The páramos of Nariño are among the most important ecosystems in Colombia, serving as natural reservoirs of water, regulators of local climates, and havens of biodiversity. These high-altitude environments are not only ecologically rich but also vital to the water supply for both rural and urban populations. Their preservation is essential for maintaining ecological balance in the region.

Threats from Agriculture and Livestock

Despite their value, Nariño’s páramos are under increasing pressure from human activities—chiefly agriculture and livestock farming. Expanding farmlands and pastures, often created through deforestation and burning, degrade soil quality, reduce biodiversity, and interrupt natural water cycles. Livestock farming, both intensive and extensive, contributes to methane and nitrous oxide emissions, significantly impacting climate change and accelerating ecosystem degradation.

Global and Local Dimensions of Environmental Impact

The environmental challenges in Nariño reflect a global pattern. Worldwide, over 45% of land is used for livestock, contributing heavily to deforestation, land degradation, and excessive water use. In South America, massive soybean plantations and pasturelands for animal feed occupy vast areas, a trend mirrored in Nariño where land scarcity pushes communities to encroach on páramo reserves for subsistence farming and cattle raising.

Consequences of Mismanagement and Overexploitation

Inappropriate land use leads to soil erosion, water pollution from animal waste, and habitat loss. The excessive use of fertilizers and poor manure management contribute to soil acidification and water eutrophication. Wildfires, often caused by agricultural expansion, have devastated large areas of páramo, especially in zones like the Chiles-Cumbal Volcanic Complex, where thousands of hectares have already been lost.

The Call for Sustainable Action

Preserving Nariño’s páramos requires urgent and coordinated efforts. Strategies should include promoting sustainable agriculture, enforcing environmental regulations, restoring degraded areas, and educating communities about the importance of conservation. Rotational grazing, reforestation, and alternative livelihoods are essential components of a regenerative approach. These ecosystems are not only a regional treasure—they are vital to global environmental health and must be protected for future generations.

For an extensive version of this article, visit:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kVoZ__pVEBimJkw17P7vNtdp0GUgCKL5/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=107427474520665256237&rtpof=true&sd=true