50 years of Colombian Internal Conflict.

Colombian conflict is one of the longest worldwide internal conflicts during 20th century. Although this conflict has taken place in rural and metropolitan areas, its repercussion has been more evident over rural sectors. Confrontations between governmental forces and illegal armed groups have generated internally displaced people especially on the south of Colombia. Direct harassment over population by Guerrilla and Paramilitary groups has been especially intense on rural zones, because of the structural fragilities of Colombian State, such as institutional weakness, social exclusion and inequality, centralization and the influence of narcotraffic and other criminal organizations over state institutions.

Natural Parks over Andes region

Colombian National Parks are vital for preserving the planet’s biodiversity and maintaining functional terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. However, parks in the Colombian tropical Andes are under threat by anthropogenic process generating land forest conversion towards pastures and agriculture, which have led to deforestation and degradation of protected landscapes.

National Park Picachos

Picachos is an example of how population incursion has generated affectation over protected forests. The armed conflict and the presence of illegal groups have caused IDP's (Internal desplaced people). Most IDP have moved towards big cities looking for life opportunities. In other cases IDP decide to stay in rural areas and some National Parks become into their new home.

Cattle and Agricultural establisment

The presence of human populations in protected areas generates changes on land cover. Forest are cleared in favor of pastures expansion which modifies stable forests. Pastures are used to establish land-uses such as cattle and subsistence agriculture which are the main drivers of deforestation in this National Park.

Few cows per hectare.