New Conservation Area in the Colombian Chocó is a Victory for Afro-Descendant Communities and Biodiversity

Andes Amazon Fund celebrates the creation of Las Siete Sabias-Esperanza de Vida, a new protected area in Chocó, Colombia. Sieta Sabias conserves 75,116 acres (30,398 ha) of tropical rainforest along Colombia’s Pacific coast, boosting connectivity within the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena biodiversity hotspot. Siete Sabias is as much a victory for nature as it is for the people of Chocó— the local communities, primarily Afro-Colombian, played a major role in the area’s creation, noting its importance for the protection of their water sources and local economy.

Protecting the Rainiest Forests in the Americas, and Water Sources for over 100,000 People

The Colombian Chocó is one of the wettest regions on Earth, receiving around 26 feet (8 meters) of rainfall annually. Its forest canopies soar to heights of 125 feet (38 meters), creating layers of diverse habitats for wildlife.

Many unique and threatened species reside within the Chocó’s rainforests, including Geoffroy’s tamarin (Saguinus geoffroyi), the Choco broad-nosed bat (Platyrrhinus chocoensis), and the saffron-headed parrot (Pyrilia pyrilia). Initial studies carried out in the region have found 90 species of plants and 479 species of animals (210 birds, 117 mammals, 44 amphibians, 75 reptiles, and 33 fish). However, scientists estimate the totals to be much higher. The forests of Siete Sabias have been labeled a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), as well as an Area of Importance for the Conservation of Bats. 

The new protected area also hosts several major rivers, including the Pacurita, Tutunendo, Guadalupe, and the Cabí. The latter river is vital to local communities, as it supplies water for approximately 108,000 people. 

A Victory for Colombia’s Afro-Descendant Communities

The process to create Siete Sabias began in 2019. Local communities, NGOs, and government officials met to discuss the potential of creating a protected area in the region that emphasized preserving ecosystems and sustainable development. Many of the discussions were led by the COCOMACIA community council, which allowed scientists to carry out studies in the region to determine its conservation value. Initially, Siete Sabias was planned to encompass less than half of its present size. However, interest and management commitments from local communities allowed for an increase in size to over 75,000 acres (30,000 ha).

“We are very happy, not only because the area is important for the country’s biodiversity, where a diversity of endemic and other emblematic species such as bats live; but because this declaration was achieved with the participation of several entities and community councils, so this constitutes a collective decision.”

Santiago Castillo, researcher at the Humboldt Institute.

The name of the reserve was chosen by the local communities involved in its creation process and future management. “Siete Sabias”, or the Seven Wise Women, was chosen in honor of the seven local Afro-descendant community councils that make up the protected area. “Esperanza de Vida”, or Hope of Life, represents the next steps in ensuring the protected area benefits all of its inhabitants long-term.

Fighting Deforestation Hand-in-Hand with Local People

Siete Sabias falls under the category of “Regional Integrated Management District”, or DRMI using the Spanish acronym. This designation is given to sub-national protected areas which support the sustainable use of resources by local communities. By equipping local people with the tools to build a sustainable economy, DRMIs contribute to the fight against deforestation, soil and water pollution, and illegal mining.

Acknowledgments

The declaration of Las Siete Sabias-Esperanza de Vida was made possible thanks to the coordination between Codechocó, the local environmental authority, Coparien, and COCOMACIA, with technical support from the Humboldt Institute and Nature and Culture International. Andes Amazon Fund’s financial support for this project was generously provided by the Wyss Foundation and by Art into Acres (with funding by Jonas Wood and Wood Kusaka Studio) in partnership with Re:wild.