Murillo leads a pioneer project in Colombia to eradicate the spiny retamo

With a historical investment of more than $ 16,000 millionMurillo began to the project “Without retamo, water, life and future”an unprecedented environmental strategy in Colombia that seeks to manually eradicate the spiny retaminvasive species that threatens the ecosystems of the moor.

The announcement was made by the Governor of Tolima, Adriana Magali Matizwho led the socialization of the agreement signed together with Cortolima and the University of Tolima. “The direct beneficiary is Murillo, but the positive impact will be felt throughout the region and even nationally, for the importance of protecting the moors as essential water sources,” said the president.

He spiny retamoriginally from Europe, has invaded large extensions in high mountain areas, displacing native vegetation, altering soils and increasing the risk of forest fires. Its control represents a huge ecological challenge, since it expands rapidly and cannot be eliminated with herbicides without affecting the environment.

According to Olga Lucía Alfonsodirector of Cortolima, manual eradication will focus on the Navados Natural Park Mouthwights Zoneone of the most sensitive areas of the ecosystem. “We are talking about a delicate, but necessary intervention. This project will allow to recover strategic areas for water and biodiversity conservation,” he said.

The strategy includes four lines of action:

• Manual and mechanical eradication Without chemicals.

• Environmental Education and Community Campaigns.

• Ecological Restoration by reintroduction of native species.

  Doris Torresrepresentative of Asomupaz in the village Las Pavas, highlighted the social impact of the project: “For us, small producers, this is a real opportunity to protect our land. The moor is life, and ‘without retamo’ allows us to dream of a sustainable future.”

  The initiative will last 18 monthsperiod during which it is expected to recover key areas of Murillo and nearby municipalities such as Villahermosareinforcing environmental awareness and promoting community participation in the protection of high Andean ecosystems.

BY: Tolima Drafting – The irreverent