Mountain Partnership

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Colombia

Colombia has a wealth of its biodiversity in its mountains. Unfortunately, serious conflict continues to be fought in these regions. Priority sustainable development concerns in Colombia's mountain regions include: the conservation of biodiversity, watershed management, creating compensation mechanisms for damaged ecosystems, addressing problems of poverty and food insecurity and educating citizens to take a responsible attitude towards the conservation of mountain ecosystems.

A particular focus of concern is the conservation of ecosystems of the paramos, the high treeless plateaux characteristic of the tropical Andes. These areas have been subject to degradation through agricultural overuse and the effects of global warming, and as a result water resources are also severely under threat. Most of the mountain development projects in Colombia have been focused on the paramos through the 'Programme for the Sustainable Management and Restoration of High Altitude Colombian Ecosystems: Paramos'.

An important environmental initiative in the country has been the creation of the non-profit Organisation for Environmental Education and Protection (OpEPA). It organises expeditions and trips for young people to teach them about social, cultural, historical and also environmental aspects of mountain as well as lowland regions.

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