Colombia and different environmental institutions have contributed to the recovery and restoration of ecosystems such as Cayo Cangrejo and the Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park, in the Islands of Providencia y Santa Catalina, which were devastated after the transit of Hurricane Iota.
For the recovery of these ecosystems, the Naval Institution has provided logistical support to transport by sea, from San Andrés to Providencia, different materials, including mangrove and dry forest plants. In the same way, debris removal activities have been carried out in different reserve areas of the island region.
In the Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park, since 2021, in coordination with environmental authorities, an ecosystem restoration strategy has been planned, such as the McBean Mangrove, coral formations, dry forest on Iron Wood Hill, Cangrejo Cay and Three Brothers Cays, which were heavily hit by the hurricane.
During this process of ecological restoration, the Naval Institution has in the same way participated in the activities of planting seedlings of red and black mangrove, coconut, tamarind, currant, canafistula and mango fruit trees. In the same way, it has contributed to the conservation of plants and vegetation in Cayo Cangrejo and the restoration of the McBean mangrove and nurseries, all these operations framed in the Operation Cangrejo Negro led by the Ministry of Environment.
The Colombian Navy, through the Specific Command of San Andrés y Providencia, will continue to carry out and support conservation and care activities for natural resources, reiterating its commitment to the protection of sea ecosystems and tropical dry forest that led to the conservation of the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve.
Source: Press - Navy of Colombia
