Fracking License near Caño Cristales Suspended After Public Outcry

Fotografía de río Caño Cristales: (cc) FOTUR – (fotógrafo MCarvajal)

In an unexpected twist to the recent reports of exploratory fracking in and around the Serrania de la Macarena National Park, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced yesterday (Thursday 14 April) that he had suspended the environmental license allowing exploratory fracking to take place in the important zone for biodiversity.

Public outcry was the main catalyst for this decision, after several public petitions on change.org and mass outcry in media and across social media, placed overwhelming pressure on the government to take action and suspend the license.

 

 Fotografía de río Caño Cristales: (cc) FOTUR – (fotógrafo MCarvajal)

The fracking would have taken place within 68km of the ‘River of 5 Colours,’ which the company in question, Hupecol, claims would have assured the protection of the iconic river. However, the entire area of the Serrania de la Macarena National Park is a protected zone, and would have been at risk. Cano Cristales might be the big draw in the National Park, but the entire area is one of Colombia’s most naturally diverse ecosystems, and should be protected at all costs.

However, this isn’t a total victory for those seeking to protect Cano Cristales and the biodiversity of La Macarena: environmental minister Gabriel Vallejo reportedly order environmental authority ANLA to suspend the licence, but only “until environmental protection is guaranteed.” It seems there may be further battles to fight in guaranteeing the protection of this important natural ecosystem for future generations and for tourism.

Chris

Fotografía de río Caño Cristales: (cc) FOTUR – (fotógrafo MCarvajal)