The initial goal was to plant 3,000 trees in Duitama, but thanks to the coordination of efforts it was possible to plant about 20,000, contributing to the care of strategic ecosystems for wildlife life, such as the puma, the Andean bear among other endemic specimens of the region.
As part of the work carried out within the framework of environmental programs for the preservation of ecosystems and the care of water sources, Colombian National Army and the Mayor's Office of Duitama, Boyacá, joined forces to carry out the last tree planting of 2024.
During the year, various activities were carried out where the support of the rural area communities and young people from different schools of the municipality, who aware of the importance of these operations, joined to protect the water sources that feed the Surba River, as well as the natural area that serves as a home for wildlife such as the Andean bear, the puma and other specimens that enrich the ecosystem of this region of the Tundama province in the department of Boyacá.
During several activities, together with National Natural Parks of Colombia, activities were carried out for the protection of biodiversity and restoration of the ecosystem, with the planting of more than 19,300 trees of native specimens such as bear's hand, garrocho, cedar, wax laurel, gaque, alder, mortiño, peach, cucharo and tuno, which are found in a vital water recharge zone, this to work to raise the supply of vital liquid to about 150 thousand inhabitants of the area.
In the same way, to work to ensure that native specimens have an ecosystem with the necessary conditions for their survival, so that they contribute to increase the population of endangered specimens.
The river Surba, by decree No. 119 on February 7, 2024, was recognized as a sentient being and a rights holder, this in response to the climate crisis that threatens its existence. For this reason, the Ministry of Agricultural Development of Duitama coordinated with Colombian National Army, National Natural Parks of Colombia, civil society and the people to design a comprehensive strategy that works for the compliance with that decree and in the same way contributes to the protection of the environment, flora and fauna.
Source: Strategic Communications General Command of the military forces
