THE CORPORATION Autonomous Regional of Cundinamarca (CAR) announced that it will begin an investigation to identify those responsible for causing damage to the Cruz Verde wasteland, apparently as a result of rallying.
Through videos shared by various media outlets, the entity learned that several four-by-four truck-type vehicles entered the ecosystem and destroyed frailejones and other vegetation in the area. Therefore, an environmental sanctioning process will be carried out in which the images in question will be used as evidence to identify those responsible.
In this regard, Alfred Ballesteros, general director of the CAR, stated that “the videos allow us to identify the vehicles that were there carrying out activities that threaten this ecosystem.” Furthermore, he indicated that due to this fact he will file the respective complaints with the Attorney General’s Office so that the body investigates the commission of an alleged environmental crime.
“So that the Prosecutor’s Office can establish whether an environmental crime could have been committed for having carried out these activities and having affected native vegetation such as frailejones in this important ecosystem,” stated the director of the entity, and in turn, categorically rejected any practice that affects natural resources.
“Let’s not forget that 70% of the water resources that Colombians consume depend on the paramos. The moors are sacred and it is everyone’s responsibility to take care of and protect them,” she pointed out.
Likewise, the entity analyzes the number of hectares and frailejones affected while determining the sanction that could be imposed on the owners of the vehicles. In addition, they highlighted that the practice of tourist or entertainment activities in these ecosystems are not regulated.
It is worth mentioning that the Cruz Verde moor is located on the borders between the country’s capital and the municipalities of La Calera and Choachí. Just as it is part of the same Sumapaz paramo ecosystem, which is the largest on the entire planet with more than 315,000 hectares.
Within the framework of the commemoration of World Biodiversity Day, the entity will launch concerted initiatives with departmental and municipal authorities, productive sectors and the community, to respond to the environmental problems of the territory and strengthen protection and conservation of its natural heritage.
