Indigenous Reserve in the Colombian Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Expanded by 23,313 Acres

Update: On December 22, 2023, the Arhuaco Indigenous Reserve was expanded by 2,434 acres (985 ha) bringing the total size to 25,747 acres (10,419 ha).

Andes Amazon Fund celebrates the expansion of the Arhuaco Indigenous Reserve, also known as a Resguardo, in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region along the Colombian Caribbean in the department of Cesar. Through the expansion process as well as land tenure clarification and a cartographic adjustment to the original territory’s limits, the Arhuaco Reserve was expanded by a total of 23,313 acres (9,434 ha) with its formal registration on March 16, 2022.

The expansion will help to ensure the preservation of the cultural integrity, ancestral knowledge, and sacred sites of the Arhuaco, Kogui, Wiwa, and Kankuamo Indigenous Peoples, along with the biodiversity and ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta; known for its mountainous and densely forested landscape. 

This was the first phase of expansions to the reserve supported by the Andes Amazon Fund, with another expansion anticipated soon.

Acknowledgements

AAF would like to congratulate the Amazon Conservation Team, Colombian National Land Agency, and the local Indigenous communities for this fantastic achievement. Additional financial support was provided by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.