Dariรฉn‘s Biodiversity Under Scrutiny as Biologists, Local Landowners Unite for Landmark Inventory
Dariรฉn, Colombia – A growing coalition of biologists and local landowners are embarking on an ambitious project to comprehensively document the biodiversity of the Dariรฉn Gap, one of the world’s most ecologically significant and least explored regions. The initiative, born from a commitment to conservation, aims to transform the area from a vulnerable frontier into a protected territory, bolstered by scientific understanding and community stewardship.
The Dariรฉn, a dense and largely inaccessible jungle straddling the border between Panama and Colombia, harbors an extraordinary wealth of plant and animal life. For decades, it has faced threats from illegal logging, agriculture, and armed conflict. Now, a dedicated team is working to create a detailed inventory of the region’s flora and fauna, hoping to secure its future through informed conservation efforts. This undertaking is notably crucial as increasing numbers of individuals, including former participants in illicit activities, are joining the effort, recognizing the long-term value of preservation.
The project began with a core group of biologists granted access to study and safeguard the territory. Their ranks are swelling with support from local residents, including Don Walter Restrepo, who owns land bordering the reserve. restrepo has contributed an additional 50 hectares to the conservation mission, supplementing his existing timber business with a commitment to ecological protection.
“Nobody who knows what he has would want to knock him down,” remarked a member of the team, highlighting the shift in viewpoint among those who live alongside the jungle. This sentiment underscores the project’s success in fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility within the community.
Professor Cogollo, a leading figure in the expedition, emphasizes the importance of cultivating a deeper connection to the natural world among Colombians. “The child who lives near the moor would have to go and see it, the one who lives next to the mangrove should go and observe itโฆ In Colombia we have to learn to look,” he stated from a hammock in the field. “In this country we live in a scientific laboratory.” The team believes that by encouraging local observation and understanding, they can build a enduring foundation for the Dariรฉn’s long-term preservation.
