The conservation of cloud forests presents both challenges and opportunities for sustainable development. Creating a green village in this unique environment requires a careful balance between human needs and ecological preservation. To achieve this goal, three key initiatives are fundamental: protecting natural water sources, installing septic tanks to prevent pollution, providing drinking water to residents, creating employment opportunities and stable income, and generating alternative energy.
Since the creation of the RNMP, we had the challenge of developing a conservation project that would bring benefits to the inhabitants of the La Mesenia village and that in turn would allow the preservation of one of the places with the greatest biodiversity on the planet. The first step at the start of the project in 2008 was to raise awareness among the inhabitants of the village to avoid throwing wrappers and plastic bottles onto the main trail also known as the “Camino Real” that connects with San Antonio del Chamí. Also avoid contamination of the waters of the San Juan Antioquía River with garbage and wastewater. In a second phase, septic tanks, donated by the foundation, were installed in those houses located near the river to avoid water contamination. This measure also had a positive impact on the health of children and adults by not being exposed to microorganisms that caused gastrointestinal diseases.
After the pandemic ended, CELSIA, the energy generation company, donated 80 water filters that were delivered to 78 families in the villages of La Mesenia, El Cañón, Macanas and La Floresta. With these clay filters, families obtain drinking water without having to boil it, saving propane gas and also avoiding the use of firewood for this purpose.
Approximately a year ago, the possibility of using solar energy was raised to reduce energy consumption at the reserve station and also in the houses on the village. During the month of September, another important donation was made by CELSIA. This donation is made up of solar cells and inverters that will allow 20 families from the La Mesenia village to return energy to the EPM network and achieve net zero consumption. The installation of the structures for the assembly of the solar panels is currently being carried out. We hope that before the end of the year and during the course of 2025, the facilities will be certified by EPM.
At the Mesenia-Paramillo reserve main station, 24 solar panels were installed.
Comments