Environmental Activists Warn Mining Is Putting Colombia's National Tree in Danger
Environmental Activists Warn Mining Is Putting Colombia's National Tree in Danger
Translation posted 12 May 2016 18:03 GMT
Written by Juan Arellano
Translated by Erin Gallagher
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“Valle de Cocora”, Image via Flickr user Nuria Pascual.
Used under Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) license.
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The wax palm of Quindío is a vulnerable species native to Quindío, Colombia, and is also the country's national tree. The palm is protected by various measures put forth by the Colombian government since it faces many threats.
However, the most recent dangers that the tree is facing are in an area where it should be most protected: a national park.
To date, there are at least three mining concessions pending in the municipality of Salento, Quindío. Some of the areas in question have supposedly been solicited by gold mining company Anglo Gold Ashanti (although their representatives have denied any interest).
This would affect land in Los Nevados National Natural Park, and various areas that are classified as Forest Area, Natural Reserve or Integrated Management District.
More:
https://globalvoices.org/2016/05/12/environmental-activists-warn-mining-is-putting-colombias-national-tree-in-danger/
