Bogotá's wetlands, vital for biodiversity, flood control, and the city's adaptation to climate change, are facing collapse due to centuries of development and recent extreme weather events. This article explores the impact of urban expansion on these ecosystems, the concerns of Indigenous communities who consider the wetlands sacred, and the urgent need for restoration and sustainable planning.
The marshes in Colombia’s capital are sacred to Indigenous peoples, provide vital wildlife habitats and could help the city adapt to climate change. But after centuries of development they are close to collapseauthorities to impose water rationing. Then, in November, heavy rains triggered widespread flooding, submerging streets, stranding vehicles and disrupting traffic.
Bogotá is located in an ecosystem comprising 11 wetlands – locally known as District Ecological Wetland Parks – whose importance isThese wetlands regulate the freshwater supply from the city’s rivers, providing flood control and groundwater conservation – an important function since the country has experiencedin South America, with 84% of its population and 86% of its assets located in areas that are exposed to two or more natural hazards.
According to Samaca, diseases, invasive species, and infrastructure projects are among the factors threatening the species that are essential to his people’s traditions. “Without our traditional medicine , we will lose our culture,” he says. “The flooding in Bogotá demonstrates that the water connection between the eastern hills, wetlands and Bogotá River needs to be enabled,”
WETLANDS CLIMATE CHANGE URBAN EXPANSION POLLUTION INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
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