Actions to Address Degradation and the Loss of Natural Forests in the Municipality of Medellín

Abstract

According to the Land-Use Plan, 63% of the municipal territory is located in protected zones and 40% of its area has forest cover. To address the degradation and loss of the municipality's natural forests, the Secretariat of the Environment implemented several initiatives between 2008 and 2011, including: participation in the Departmental Protected Areas System and the Central Antioquia Park, application of tax benefits in protected areas, flora and fauna inventories in Arví Park, implementation of the "More Forests for Medellín" program, biodiversity restoration in the Nare forest reserve, management of 10 municipal protected areas, land acquisition in aqueduct headwaters, establishment of nurseries, and implementation of environmental education activities.