Children and young people from Commune 13 celebrated ‘World Environment Day’ in the Charco Azul wetland

• On Wednesday, within the framework of the commemoration of ‘World Environment Day’, students of the Liceo Juvenil Colombia enjoyed a program inspired by the rich biodiversity of the Charco Azul wetland.
  
• The activities included a tour of the wetland, bird watching and educational workshops with the Administrative Department of Environmental Management.
  
• 31 children and young people became aware of the sector where they live and the flora and fauna that surrounds them.

Santiago de Cali, June 5, 2024

In Cali, headquarters of the COP16a group of 31 students from the Colombia Youth High School of Commune 13 (east of the city), commemorated the ‘World Environment Day’ (05.06.2024) with a day of activities in the wetland Blue Puddlewhich included walking, watching birds and various species and workshops on environmental education, all under the coordination and leadership of the Administrative Department of Environmental Management (Dagma).

The activities had the support of the Improving Lives Association (ASOMEVID), the Community Environmental Management System (SIGAC), the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) and the company Ecoazul, entities that lead environmental processes in the capital of Valle del Cauca.

According to Viviana Andrea Ospina, Dagma’s Governance and Environmental Education coordinator, Charco Azul is one of the three wetlands located in eastern Cali. “This place is strategic as a regulator and it is very important to bring the communities to know details about the beautiful place they live in. On Wednesday, the different species of birds were identified and activities such as waste separation were carried out; in addition to knowing and listening to what children and young people dream for the future of the wetland”he contextualized.

In this way, we seek to promote environmental awareness and protect water sources in the city. “The idea is that they can replicate that same awareness in their homes, having a sense of belonging. Now that Cali is hosting COP16, it is important that young people recognize the biodiversity we have”Ospina added.

Oscar Carabalí, guard of the wetland belonging to the Improving Lives Association (ASOMEVID), referred to the importance of celebrating the ‘Environment Day’. “We know that we have big problems in terms of habitat and that is why the idea is that we can take care of the environment. “We decided to celebrate it in this wetland, since it has the largest body of water in Cali and has become home to more than 42 species of birds and a reference point for biodiversity.”argument.

Currently, Santiago de Cali has 61 urban wetlands, of which 18 are located on publicly owned lands and 43 on private properties. in the wetland Blue Puddle You can find more than 55 species of birds, both endemic and migratory. In addition, this scenario fulfills a water function that serves as a rainwater reservoir so that the northern area of ​​the city does not flood.

Do you want to go bird watching in Charco Azul?

Bird watching can be done at two times: from 7:00 to 10:00 am and at night. For both cases, accompaniment from the Environmental Police or staff from the Improving Lives Association is required (ASOMEVID). Contact: 321 537 77 32, Oscar Carabalí.

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– Cali, ‘Pacific Capital of Colombia’, will celebrate ‘Environment Day’ with special programming at the Charco Azul wetland

Dayana Arango Samudio

Dagma Communications