Saving Colombia's Water: Climate change threatens fragile wetlands

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Colombia is home to a unique ecosystem called the Paramo. These wetlands provide 70-percent of the country's water supply. But they're under threat from mining, agriculture projects, and climate change. CGTN's Michelle Begue reports on how the government is working with locals to protect them.

Colombia is one of only four countries in the world with an ecosystem called the Paramo.

Paramos are high altitude wetlands. Their rich soil captures moisture from the air which purifies the water and regulates its flow. While this habitat only occupies 1.7 percent of Colombia's total territory it has a very important job.

MARIO GONZALES, SPOKESPERSON PROJECT ADAPTATION FOR CLIMATE CHANGE "This is an ecosystem that exists to regulate and produce water. All of the vegetation and the earth is designed to collect and store water."

The fragile ecosystem has long been at risk from mining and agricultural projects and now climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change, Colombia will be left without glaciers and paramos by 2040.

Since 2014, Colombia's Ministry of the Environment - with the support of the Global Environmental Facility - has implemented a project called Adaptation to Climate Change in the Highlands. The project aims at studying the effects of climate change in the region and mitigate them.

MARIO GONZALES, SPOKESPERSON PROJECT ADAPTATION FOR CLIMATE CHANGE "What we found is that in some places there will be less precipitation or rain falling on the paramos."

The project has enlisted the help of 60 different families in the paramo conservation.

MARIO GONZALES, SPOKESPERSON PROJECT ADAPTATION FOR CLIMATE CHANGE "These measures also help the families by providing an income and a guarantee of water in the future when water sources become scarce."

Outside of Colombia's capital Bogota, farmers like Juana Rodriguez have become environmental guardians for the paramos: Chingaza, Sumapaz and Cruz Verde. The project works with them on adequate water management techniques, protection of the unique flora in the region and restoration OF THE ECOSYSTEM where there has been lost.

JUANA RODRIGUEZ PROGRAM PARTICIPANT "The project has taught us to protect the flora and fauna, the water which is the principle life source for all living things."

A resource that is vital for the 11 million people living in Bogota's urban area. Michelle Begue, CGTN, Chingaza.