CEP Technical Report No. 36 1996

CEP Technical Report No. 36 1996: Status of Protected Area Systems in the Wider Caribbean Region
Country Profiles

(1) Totals have been adjusted to avoid double counting areas that are classified in 2 or more categories.

National conservation objectives are stated in legislation, with detailed definitions of management categories, allowing for the creation of a coherent national system of protected areas (Ormazábal 1988). A comprehensive national conservation strategy has now been formulated which reinforces the legislation and national system. (See below re creation of the Ministry of Environment, 1993).

In 1987 the government initiated a policy of Opening of Parks (Apertura de Parques) to increase funding and public awareness of the national system of protected areas. Various projects have been implemented to encourage scientific research and recreation, to train students and professionals in conservation and protected area management, and to strengthen national support. A state run Voluntary Park Guard Service (Servicio de Guardaparques Voluntarios) programme augments the regular body of park guards with seasonal workers and students (Castaño 1989, INDERENA-DPN 1991).

In 1989 the National Planning Department presented the Colombian Forestry Action Plan (PAFC). A Secretariat (Secretaría Especial) was created within the National Planning Department to implement the PAFC, which identifies 70 projects to develop, protect, and improve forested areas. Four projects specifically involve protected areas in the natural national parks system, and include a proposal to enlarge the national system to incorporate more forest ecosystems (INDERENA-DPN 1991, Castaño and Sánchez, pers. comm., 1991, Romero, pers. comm., 1991). The plan is in the process of implementation.

The first environmental legislation was the 1959 Law of National Forest Economy and the Conservation of Renewable Natural Resources (Ley Sobre Economía Forestal de la Nación y Conservación de los Recursos Naturales Renovables) which provided the general principles of conservation still in practice today (Sánchez, pers. comm., 1992). The Ministry of Agriculture (now the Ministry of Environment) was empowered to define areas which might later be developed as national parks, which includes all permanently snow-covered mountains and their surrounding areas. Over 55 million ha of forest reserves were declared under provision of this Law (INDERENA-DPN 1991, Sánchez 1990, cited in C. Castaño and H. Sánchez, pers. comm., 1991).

Decree No. 2420 (1968) provided for the creation of an organisation specifically responsible for natural resource management, the National Institute of Renewable Natural Resources and the Environment (Instituto Nacional de los Recursos Naturales Renovables y del Medio Ambiente) (INDERENA). All protected area responsibilities were transferred to it. Decree No. 133 (1976) restructured INDERENA and expanded its range of responsibilities. Law 99 of 1993 created the Ministry of Environment which took on INDERENA's functions.

The principal current legislation is the National Code of Renewable Natural Resources and Protection of the Environment (Código Nacional de los Recursos Naturales Renovables y de Protección al Medio Ambiente), Decree No. 2811 of 18 December 1974. All natural resources are declared as state property, private rights to which are subject to specific conditions. Private land may be expropriated for the creation of protected areas, where necessary. Through Law 99, 1993 the Decree was updated and created autonomous corporations for each state. Its departments are responsible for executing the policies at the local level.

The Code provides the basis for natural resource protection, scientific investigation, and environmental education, by stating national conservation objectives. Regulations for natural resource use are detailed, and provision is made for forest reserves. The system of national parks is defined as a conjunction of areas of exceptional national value established to conserve flora, fauna, ecosystems, cultural or historical specimens, and collectively attain national conservation objectives. Definitions are given for the six management categories employed in the system (Annex I). Further details of protected area management and prohibitions are given in regulations pertaining to the Code.

Decree No. 622 (1977) regulates all articles of the Code relating to the national parks system. It refers to the natural national parks system and provides specific guidance for administration and management. The regulations state that national parks and other protected areas are compatible with indigenous reserves and resguardos. Where indigenous groups occupy areas in the national system, an agreement will be reached between the respective agencies to allow coexistence and compliance with established conservation aims. An extensive list of prohibitions is given, including all forms of natural resource exploitation except under authorisation from INDERENA. Prohibited activities and penalties imposed for illegal exploitation of natural resources and colonisation in protected areas are also given in the General National Penal Code (Código General Nacional Penal), 1981. Penalties include imprisonment and fines.

Provision is made for protected areas to be subdivided into management zones which provide different degrees of protection: these range from intangible to high density use (Annex I). A master plan, giving details of development, management and conservation objectives, must be written for each area.

Colombia acknowledges indigenous rights of land ownership and has adopted a series of legal measures following these principles. Legislation defines two types of indigenous areas: resguardos are traditionally inhabited lands communally owned by indigenous peoples through a legal title (Romero, pers. comm., 1992), and indigenous reserves (reservas indígenas) which are territories provisionally assigned to a particular indigenous community for their own use but the actual ownership of the land and its subsoil remains in the hands of the state (Romero, pers. comm., 1992). Current environmental legislation and policy providing for the establishment of protected areas is compatible with the system of indigenous areas. In most cases, the indigenous communities use natural resources on a sustainable basis (Castaño 1989, 1992).

Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena Convention, 1983)

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, 1973)

Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage, 1972)

Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP, 1981) and its Specially Protected Areas & Wildlife Programme (SPAW, 1990)

Latin American Network for Technical Co-operation in National Parks, Protected Areas & Wildlife (LAN-NPPAW)

Since its creation in 1968, INDERENA (and since 1993 the Ministry of Environment) has been responsible for formulating conservation policies and managing natural resources and protected areas. The Ministry of Environment includes several sub-units (internal affairs, legal, forestry and wildlife, etc.) as well as the unit for the National Parks System.

The Unit implements the policies of the Ministry and is responsible for planning, co-ordinating and regulating the programmes of the national system of protected areas. The total number of personnel employed in the national system is about 300, comprising professionals, administrative and technical staff and labourers, including park guards. The responsibilities of INDERENA (now the Ministry) with respect to the national system were established by decree in 1989, and include the declaration and delimitation of protected areas and their regulation and administration via the National Parks Unit (INDERENA-DPN 1991, Castaño and Sánchez, pers. comm., 1991).

Forest reserves are managed by INDERENA (now the Ministry) under the 1959 legislation (FAO 1991). The Colombian Institute of Agrarian Reform (INCORA) was responsible for establishing the system of indigenous reserves known as resguardos, and for regulating forest resource use in these areas (FAO 1991). Forest reserves now form part of the national system of protected areas.

The Ministry is responsible for natural resource management and policy at the national level, but there are autonomous regional corporations throughout the country which are responsible for resource regulation and policy implementation in their particular regions. Where this occurs, an agreement is reached between the Ministry and the regional corporation to co-ordinate the management of protected areas in the region. Some administrative functions may be delegated to the regional corporation although the Parks Unit remains the ultimate authority (Castaño and Sánchez, pers. comm., 1991, Romero, pers. comm., 1991).

For example, the Cauca Valley Autonomous Regional Corporation (Corporación Autónoma Regional del Valle del Cauca) (CVC) manages around 25% of Farallones de Cali Natural National Park in conjunction with the Ministry (Anon. 1989, Castaño and Sánchez, pers. comm., 1991). Regional corporations carry out other conservation activities in their region involving parts of the national system. Similar agreements may also be reached between the Ministry and NGOs.

There are a number of NGOs working on environmental issues. Among the largest is the Fundación Natura, established in 1985, which signed an agreement with INDERENA to co-operate in the management of some protected areas (INDERENA-DPN 1991). Through an agreement with a private national company, Fundación Natura shares ownership and management of a scientific reserve, and three national parks as well as managing several private reserves (Fundación Natura 1990, Romero, pers. comm., 1991, Kelsey, pers. comm., 1992).

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Support Foundation (Fundación Pro-Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta) is also directly involved in protected area management, concerned with promoting scientific research, training programmes and inter-institutional support for Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Natural National Park (IUCN/ITTO 1991, Maldonado, pers. comm., 1991). Fundación Herencia Verde works closely with autonomous regional corporations in buffer zone management, and also in the Chocó (Kelsey, pers. comm., 1992).

The Foundation for Higher Education (Fundación para la Educación Superior) (FES), in conjunction with WWF, established a community nature reserve in 1982 for educational and conservation purposes, which it now manages (Orejuela 1985, Samper and Orejuela, n.d.).

A regional Conservation Data Centre has been established within the Cauca Valley Autonomous Regional Corporation to compile and process information on the biology and distribution of endangered plant and animal species in Colombia, and the current situation of protected areas in the south-west. This information enables conservation programmes to be formulated at the species or at the regional level (Piñeros, pers. comm., 1991).

Colombia is a country of great geographical contrast, which results in a diversity of ecosystems, species richness, and endemism (Castaño 1989, González et al 1989). A number of major waterways (including the Orinoco and the Amazon river systems) are found in the country,. As a result of its varied topography, with altitudes ranging from sea level to 5,755 m, and coasts on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Colombia has one of the highest levels of species diversity in the world (Carrizosa 1990 cited in IUCN/ITTO 1991, INDERENA-DPN 1991).

The country may be divided into five main biogeographical regions or provinces: Orinoquia, Amazon, Andes, Caribbean and Chocó (Castaño and Sánchez, pers. comm., 1991).

The Orinoquia province covers the lowlands of the Orinoco River drainage system, with elevations from 100 m to 500 m. Most of this region is covered by natural savannah grassland, and the occurrence of fires (both natural and Man-made) is the most significant factor causing changes in vegetation composition and soil degradation.

The Amazonian province is an alluvial plain with a relatively uniform relief, an annual rainfall of 2,500 mm and annual temperature of more than 24C. It accounts for around one-third of Colombia's total land area (Castaño and Sánchez, pers. comm., 1991). The Amazonian region is crossed by a complex of waterways and is very rich in species diversity.

The Andean Complex is characterised by flora and fauna found throughout the central and southern Andes. Three main mountain ranges run parallel from north to south, producing distinct regions separated by valleys and the rivers Cauca and Magdalena: the Western Cordillera, the lowest; the Cordillera Central, the oldest and highest in altitude; and the Eastern Cordillera or Real del Ecuador. Some of the species present in the three cordilleras are similar but a high degree of endemism is found in each (Castaño and Sánchez, pers. comm., 1991).

The Caribbean complex and Massif of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta comprise a province that contains several different vegetation types (montane forest to mangroves) (Castaño and Sánchez, pers. comm., 1991). The massif of Santa Marta is the highest coastal range in the world and is completely isolated from the other mountain ranges (Adams, n.d.). The Santa Marta mountains contain all of the altitudinal zones found in the country (sea level to 5,775 m) and has a biota related to that of the Andes, but with a higher endemic component. This region includes the National Marine Park of Corales del Rosario and the archipelago of San Andres and Providencial Islands

The Chocó province in the Pacific coastal region (where 17% of the total population is located) is characterised by humid rain forest, except in the south where there are periods of drought. Representatives of most of Colombia's ecosystems are present including mangrove forests and coral reefs. Some species are similar to those of the Amazonian region, and it is thought that many of these plant and animal species originated in the Chocó region and migrated outwards. A high degree of endemism is found (Castaño and Sánchez, pers. comm., 1991).

Colombia's protected area systems of 345 areas covers more than 50 million ha which is equivalent to 48% of the national territory. IUCN management categories I-V account for nearly one-quarter of the areas and cover 8.5 million ha. Marine and coastal resources are present in 8% of the protected areas (Summary Table and Annex II).

Natural resource protection was initiated by Colombia's participation in the 1940 Western Hemisphere Convention, as a result of which hunting and fishing in the Muña River was prohibited in 1943. The first protected area, a natural reserve, was declared in 1948. However, it was not until 1959, when the first piece of environmental legislation was passed, that conservation principles and regulations for natural resource use were described and a legal framework for the establishment of national parks provided (INDERENA-DPN 1991, Castaño and Sánchez, pers. comm., 1991).

Several parks were declared during the 1960s by the Colombian Institute of Agrarian Reform (INCORA) and are managed by autonomous regional corporations. Following the creation of INDERENA in 1968 and subsequently the Ministry of Environment in 1993, protected area management was unified into one organisation (González et al 1989, Castaño and Sánchez, pers. comm., 1991, 1992). Law 99 of 1993 which created the Ministry of Environment also established the National Environmental System.

Colombia has a coherent and co-ordinated national system of protected areas, as defined by the FAO Latin American Network (Red Latinoamericana de Cooperación Técnica en Parques Nacionales, Otras Areas Protegidas, Flora y Fauna Silvestres). The network stipulates that protected areas should be unified by comprehensive legislation, stating national conservation objectives (giving detailed definitions of the management categories used) and that there is co-ordination between the administration of each area so that they may collectively attain national objectives (Ormazábal 1988).

By 1991 the national natural parks system comprised forty-two conservation units, covering 9,016,893 ha or 8.6% of the total land area of Colombia (INDERENA-DPN 1991; Castaño and Sánchez, pers. comm., 1991). The protected area system contains 44% of the country's ecosystems (IUCN/ITTO 1991). There is a high representation of mountainous areas, particularly the Andean region and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Castaño 1989, Castaño and Sánchez, pers. comm., 1991). The Chocó biogeographical province in the Pacific region is the most under-represented of all the provinces. As part of the Forestry Action Plan, the DPN proposed a project to strengthen and expand the system of national parks and protected areas in the Pacific region (INDERENA-DPN 1991).

As well as the national system of protected areas, Colombia has a system of indigenous reserves known as resguardos which are community-owned areas and cannot be sold. Since 1968 the

government, through the Colombian Institute of Agrarian Reform (INCORA), has established over 300 resguardos and reserves totalling around 26 million ha (Castaño, pers. comm., 1991). The 1977 Regulations state that protected areas and resguardos are compatible and can co-ordinate management to attain conservation objectives. In fact, 20 of the 42 units which comprise the protected area system contain indigenous communities (Castaño 1992). An important step in protecting the Amazonian region was taken in 1988, by INCORA, by declaring 6 million ha of rain forest as an indigenous reserve.

Together with the national parks in the area, 5.3 million ha of Amazonian rain forest is now under protection either as indigenous land which cannot be exploited by government concessions or as part of the national system of protected areas (Bunyard 1989). However, the integrity of protected areas is threatened by a lack of state control in rural areas, civil unrest, guerrilla activities, and drug trafficking. The lack of trained personnel in the national park system and shortage of funds available exacerbate the problem (IUCN/ITTO 1991).

Grip (1993) evaluated the current situation in Corales de Rosario National Park in Colombia and proposed overall actions to reduce resource degradation and increase management effectiveness in Colombia's only marine park. The issues and recommendations are probably relevant for many of Colombia's 27 protected areas that contain coastal or marine resources.

Inadequacy of park boundaries and regulation of external impacts given the inter-relations between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and activities.

Insufficient co-ordination between the central and regional offices of INDERENA.

Inadequate staffing and operational resources, transfer of park generated funds to other areas.

Travel agencies, hotels and restaurants benefit from presence of park, but do not contribute to management.

The basic enforcement capacity of the park must be strengthened, sanctions should be increased in relation to the severity of infractions.

Develop a viable zoning plan identifying areas for strict conservation, recuperation, transportation corridors, recreation and an outer buffer zone.

Establish a local advisory committee with representation of local and regional authorities, local communities, and park user groups.

Increased funding from park generated revenues should be retained by INDERENA for park management.

A three year action plan should be developed and administrative and protection functions should be strengthened.

The regional INDERENA office should be strengthened to support resolution of management problems in the park and to guarantee increased park income via the implementation of new fee policies.

Colombia has signed an agreement with the Venezuelan government to protect El Tamá Transfrontier National Park. Further details are not yet available. Since 1992 the National Planning Department has been collaborating with INDERENA, autonomous regional corporations, and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to obtain international support for the protected area system by means of a programme comprising 200 environmental projects (Kelsey, pers. comm., 1992).

Unidad Especial del Sistema de Parques Nacionales, Ministerio del Medio Ambiente, Calle 16 No. 6-66, Edificio Avianca, Piso 4, Santafe de Bogata (Tel: 1 2868643, 1 2832598; Fax: 1 2433091)

Centro de Datos para la Conservación, Corporación Autónoma Regional del Valle del Cauca (CVC), Carrera 56, No. 11-36, Aptdo Aéreo 2366, CALI (Tel: 23 396671)

Fundación Herencia Verde, Aptdo Aéreo 32802, CALI (Tel. 23 808484; FAX: 23 813257)

Fundación Natura, Carrera 12 No. 70-96, Piso 3, Aptdo Aéreo 55402, SANTA FE DE BOGOTA (Tel: 249 7590/310 0026; FAX: 210 4515)

Fundación Pro-Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Edificio los Bancos, Oficina 602, SANTA MARTA (Tel: 34697/31746)/Calle 74 No. 2-86, Piso 2, Aptdo Aéreo 5000, SANTAFE DE BOGOTA (Tel: 1 217 3487; Fax 1 218 3256)

Fundación para la Educación Superior, Calle 4, No. 1-19, Aptdo Aéreo 5744, CALI (Tel: 23 822524)

Oficina de Cooperaci\n Internacional, Ministerio del Medio Ambiente, Calle 16 No. 6-66, Edificio Avianca, Piso 4, Santafe de Bogata (Tel: (57-1) 3361166 Fax: (57-1) 3360967)

Adams, M. (n.d.) Trapped in a Colombian Sierra. The Geographical Magazine 49(4):250-254.

Anon. (1989) Areas protegidas en el territorio de jurisdicción de la CVC Colombia. Silvestres 3(11):20-22.

Bunyard, P. (1989) Guardians of the Amazon. New Scientist 16 December 1989. pp. 38-41.

Castaño, C. (1989) Guía del sistema de parques nacionales de Colombia. Instituto Nacional de los Recursos Naturales Renovables y del Medio Ambiente, Bogotá. 198 pp.

Castaño, C. (1991) Marco de acción y estrategias para la definición de políticas en el Sistema de Parques Nacionales y en la conservación de la diversidad biológica y cultural. Documento preliminar para la conferencia de medio ambiente y desarrollo, Brazil. (Unseen)

Castaño, C. (1992) Ocupación humana en parques nacionales de Colombia: política y perspectivas. In Amend, S. and Amend, T. (Eds) Espacios sin Habitantes? Parques nacionales de América del Sur. International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resorces and Editorial Nueva Sociedad, Caracas. pp. 177-191.

DNP (n.d.) Plan de acción forestal para Colombia. Departamento Nacional de Planeación, Bogotá. The Economist (1991). Pocket World in Figures. Hutchinson, London.

FAO (1991) Recursos forestales de Colombia: resumen de información existente. FAO, Rome, Italy. Draft.

González, E., Guillot, G., Miranda, N., Pombo, D. (Eds) (1989) Perfil ambiental de Colombia. US Agency for International Development, Washington DC, USA. 348 pp.

Grip, K (1993) Corales de Rosario National Park, Colombia. Advisor's Report on the Up-dating and revision of the existing management plan. UNEP/CEP, SWEDMAR. 30 pp.

Hernández, J., Sánchez, H., Castaño, C., (n.d.) Protección y conservación en la Amazonía Colombiana. (Unseen)

IUCN/ITTO (1991) Conserving biological diversity in managed tropical forests. Proceedings of a workshop held at the IUCN General Assembly, Perth, Australia, 30 November-1 December 1990. Latin American Draft Report. 84 pp.

INDERENA (1976) Preselección del sistema de parques nacionales naturales de Colombia. División de Parques Nacionales, Bogotá. (Unseen)

INDERENA (1987) Política para la planificación, el desarrollo y manejo del sistema de parques nacionales naturales y áreas protegidas de Colombia, Bogotá. (Unseen)

INDERENA (1988) Memorias del simposio internacional ECOBIOS Colombia 1988. Biblioteca Andreas Posada Arango, Bogotá. (Unseen)

INDERENA (1989) Memorias del simposio internacional de investigación y manejo de la Amazonía. Biblioteca Andreas Posada Arango, Bogotá. (Unseen)

INDERENA (1991) Diagnóstico global del sistema de parques nacionales naturales de Colombia. División de Parques Nacionales, Bogotá. (Unseen)

INDERENA-DPN (1991) Colombia - proyecto de manejo forestal y protección del medio ambiente. Conservación de la diversidad biológica a través de parques nacionales naturales del Pacífico. División de Parques Nacionales. Draft. 84 pp.

Orejuela, J. (1985) Project: La Planada Nature Reserve. Annual report 1984. Cali. p.1-p.4.

Ormazábal, C. (1988) Sistemas nacionales de áreas silvestres protegidas en América Latina. Basado en los resultados del taller sobre Planificación de Sistemas Nacionales de Areas Silvestres Protegidas, Caracas, Venezuela, 9-13 junio 1986. Proyecto FAO/PNUMA sobre manejo de áreas silvestres, áreas protegidas y vida silvestre en América Latina y el Caribe. Oficina Regional de la FAO para América Latina y el Caribe, Santiago, Chile. p.20-p.23.

Salinas, P.J. (1981) Parques nacionales naturales y otras áreas protegidas de Colombia. Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Centro de Estudios Forestales de Postgrado, Mérida, Venezuela. 30 pp.

Samper, A. and Orejuela, J. (n.d.) La Planada. A private nature reserve for nature conservation and community development. Foundation for Higher Education and WWF-US. 11 pp.

Sánchez, H. (1990) International handbook of natural parks and nature reserves. C.W. Allin (Ed.), Greenwood Press, New York/Westport, Connecticut/London. (Unseen)

Sánchez, H., Hernández, J., Rodríguez, J.V., Castaño, C. (1991) Colombia: Nuevos parques nacionales. INDERENA/OP Gráficas, Bogotá.

Definition of protected area designations as legislated, together with authorities responsible for their administration.

Title: Código Nacional de Recursos Naturales Renovables y de Protección al Medio Ambiente (National Code of Renewable Natural Resources and the Protection of the Environment), Decree Law No. 2811.

Brief description: Natural resources and the environment are the property of the state and their protection is in the public interest. The system of national parks (sistema de parques nacionales) is described as a union of protected areas with the objectives of conserving examples of outstanding ecological, historical, cultural or scenic value, and promoting the continuity of natural processes and maintaining biological diversity. Management categories employed in the system are defined.

Administrative authority: Instituto Nacional de los Recursos Naturales Renovables y del Ambiente (National Institute of Renewable Natural Resources and the Environment) (INDERENA), within the Ministerio de Agricultura (Ministry of Agriculture).

Parque Nacional (National Park) An area that has not been significantly altered by Man and contains flora or fauna, geological formations, cultural or historical examples of scientific, educational or national importance. Must be large enough to allow the continuation of natural ecological processes. Only conservation, research, educational or recreational activities are permitted, with prior authorisation from INDERENA.

Reserva Natural (Natural Reserve) An area containing flora or fauna that, owing to its natural characteristics, is suitable only for conservation and scientific research purposes. Only activities relating to conservation, scientific research or education are permitted, with prior authorisation from INDERENA.

An area containing singular examples of flora or fauna or of exceptional natural scenic beauty. Only conservation, scientific research, or educational activities are permitted, with prior authorisation from INDERENA.

Santuario de Flora (Floral Sanctuary) An area set aside for the conservation of flora. Only activities relating to conservation, scientific research, education or management, with the aim or recuperation are permitted. Prior authorisation from INDERENA required.

Santuario de Fauna (Faunal Sanctuary) An area set aside for the conservation of species or communities of wildlife. Permitted activities as for Floral sanctuary.

Vía Parque (Parkway) An area bordering a road that contains ecosystems, or historic or cultural examples of national interest. Conservation, educational and recreational activities are permitted.

Title: Decree No. 622, Reglamento parcial del Decreto Ley No. 2811 de 1974 sobre el Sistema de Parques Nacionales, la Ley 23 de 1973 y la Ley 2a de 1959 (Partial regulation of Decree Law No. 2811 of 1974, of Law No. 23 of 1973 and Law No. 2a of 1959).

Brief description: The conservation objectives of the national natural park system are restated and detailed regulations for protected area management are given. The six categories of protected area described by Decree Law No. 2811 are to be sub-divided into different management zones, as defined under these regulations. A master management plan is to be drawn up for each protected area, following this system of zones. General prohibitions are given. National natural parks are compatible with indigenous reserves and indigenous communities will not be removed from protected areas. An agreement will be reached between the respective administrative authorities to comply with the state conservation objectives.

Parque Nacional Natural (Natural National Park), Reserva Natural (Natural Reserve), Area Natural Unica (Unique Natural Area), Santuarios de Fauna y Flora (Floral and Faunal Sanctuaries) and Vía Parque (Parkway). Shall be sub-divided into the following management zones:

Zona Primitiva (Primitive Zone) Unaltered or only minimally altered by human intervention and remains in its natural state.

Zona Intangible (Intangible Zone) Area in which the environment has maintained its integrity, although there may be some human intervention.

Zona de Recuperación Natural (Natural Recuperation Zone) Area which has been substantially altered and is to be restored, by suitable methods, to its natural state. Once recovered, the zone will be assigned to the appropriate category.

Zona Histórico/Cultural (Historical/Cultural Zone) Area where archaeological or historic relics are found, or where cultural events of national importance occurred.

Zona de Recreación General Exterior (General External Recreation Zone) Area which, owing to its natural characteristics, offers certain recreational facilities without requiring or causing significant alteration to the environment.

Zona de Alta Densidad de Uso (High-Density Use Zone) Area where natural characteristics and location allow recreational and educational activities to take place with the least amount of environmental alteration as possible.

Zona Amortiguadora (Buffer Zone) An area in which the human intervention in the surrounding zones is diminished, to prevent such activities causing disturbances or alterations to ecosystem and wildlife of those areas.

Name of area	IUCN & National Mgmt. Categories		Presence of Marine or Coastal Zones	Area ha	Year Established
Nukak	I	NNR		855,000	1989
Puinawúai	I	NNR		1,092,000	1989
Subtotal	2		0	1,947,000
Amacayacú	II	NNP		293,000	1975
Cahuinarí	II	NNP		575,500	1987
Catatumbo Barí	II	NNP		158,125	1989
Chingaza	II	NNP		50,374	1977
Chiribiquete	II	NNP		1,280,000	1989
Corales del Rosario	II	NNP	YES	19,506	1977
Cordillera de los Picachos	II	NNP		439,000	1989
Cueva de los Guácharos	II	NNP		9,000	1960
El Cocuy	II	NNP		306,000	1977
El Tuparro	II	NNP		548,000	1970
Farallones de Cali	II	NNP		150,000	1968
Isla Gorgona	II	NNP	YES	49,200	1984
Isla de Salamanca	II	NNP	YES	21,000	1969
La Paya	II	NNP		422,000	1984
Las Hermosas	II	NNP		125,000	1977
Las Orquideas	II	NNP		32,000	1974
Los Katíos	II	NNP		72,000	1973
Los Nevados	II	NNP		58,300	1959
Macuira	II	NNP	YES	25,000	1977
Munchique	II	NNP		44,400	1977
Nevado del Huila	II	NNP		158,000	1977
Paramillo	II	NNP		460,000	1977
Pisba	II	NNP		45,000	1977
Puracé	II	NNP		83,000	1968
Sanquianga	II	NNP	YES	80,000	1977
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta	II	NNP	YES	383,000	1964
Sierra de la Macarena	II	NNP	YES	630,000	1989
Sumapáz	II	NNP		154,000	1977
Tamá	II	NNP		48,000	1977
Tatamá	II	NNP		54,300	1987
Tayrona	II	NNP	YES	15,000	1964
Tinigua	II	NNP		201,785	1989
Utría	II	NNP		54,300	1987
Subtotal	33*		8	7,043,790
Laguna de Sonso	IV	NR		2,045	1979
Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta	IV	FFS	YES	23,000	1977
Galeras	IV	FFS		17,600	1985
Iguaque	IV	FFS		6,750	1977
Los Colorados	IV	FFS		1,000	1977
Los Flamencos	IV	FFS	YES	7,000	1977
Subtotal	6		2	57,395
Bosque Oriental de Bogotá	V	PFR		17,625	1976
Cerro Quinini	V	PFR		1,800	1987
Cuchilla Penas Blancas	V	PFR		1,630	1983
Cuchilla Sucuncuca	V	PFR		1,710	1989
Embalse El Peñol Río Guatape	V	PFR		13,100	1985
Escarpas Occidental y Malpaso	V	PFR		3,160	1982
Frontera Colombo Panameña	V	PFR		62,375	1977
Lago Sochagota	V	PFR		8,150	1986
Páramo El Atravesado	V	PFR		3,044	1971
Páramo Urrao	V	PFR		4,000	1975
Páramo de Chingaza	V	PFR		20,000	1971
Páramo de Sumapaz	V	PRF		30,000	1971
Predio La Bolsa	V	PFR		2,700	1990
Predio La Planada	V	PFR		1,667	1984
Predio Río Sucio	V	PFR		1,360	1987
Quebrada La Tablona #1	V	PFR		1,420	1981
Quebrada La Tablona #2	V	PFR		2,700	1991
Quebrada Mutatá	V	PRF		1,500	1985
Quebrada Piedras Blancas	V	PFR		11,825	1970
Río Algodonal	V	PFR		8,200	1984
Río Blanco Olivares	V	PFR		4,900	1989
Río Cravo Sur	V	PFR		5,000	1985
Río Las Ceibas	V	PFR		6,370	1983
Río Léon	V	PFR		29,000	1971
Río Mocoa	V	PFR		34,500	1984
Río Nembí	V	PFR		5,800	1984
Río San Francisco	V	PFR		2,880	1981
Río Satocá	V	PFR		4,200	1989
Río Tame	V	PFR		1,900	1985
Río Tejo	V	PFR		2,500	1984
Ríos Blanco y Negro	V	PFR		11,925	1982
Ríos Chorreras Concepción	V	PFR		4,450	1991
Ríos Escalerete San Cipriano	V	PFR		5,400	1982
Sierra El Peligro	V	PFR		1,650	1988
Zona Musinga Carauta	V	PFR		4,000	1975
Caños La Esperanza, Negro y la Lindosa	V	PFR		5,600	1,982
Laguna La Cocha y Cerro de Patascoy	V	PFR		8,500	1,973
Serranía de Coraza y Montes de Maria	V	PFR		6,370	1,983
Subtotal	38		0	342,911
Afilador	VII	IR		9,325	na
Alto Río Guainia	VII	IR		477,200	na
Alto y Medio Río Inirida	VII	IR		2,762,500	na
Bajo Río Guainia y Río Negro	VII	IR		759,200	na
Barrancón	VII	IR		2,500	na
Caimán Nuevo	VII	IR	YES	7,500	na
Carraipía	VII	IR		5,115	na
Corocito Yopalito Gualabó	VII	IR		8,257	na
Cuiari Isana	VII	IR		926,500	na
El Unuma	VII	IR		1,273,600	na
La Fuga	VII	IR		8,360	na
La Sal	VII	IR		3,275	na
Luzón	VII	IR		2,500	na
Macucuana	VII	IR		5,700	na
Motilón Barí	VII	IR		83,000	na
Paujii	VII	IR		52,120	na
Río Atabapo	VII	IR		513,720	na
Río Verde	VII	IR	YES	9,200	na
Ríos Muco y Guarrojo	VII	IR		84,000	na
San José de Lipa	VII	IR		18,500	na
San Rafael, Abaribá, Ibibi	VII	IR		61,525	na
Santa Rosa de Sucumbíos	VII	IR		5,129	na
Santa Rosa del Guamuez	VII	IR		3,750	na
Tauretes Agua Blanca	VII	IR		8,000	na
Yarina	VII	IR		9,813	na
Aduche	VII	RG		370,100	na
Agua Negra	VII	RG		2,000	na
Aguanegra	VII	RG		1,474	na
Almidón La Ceiba	VII	RG		40,960	na
Alta y Media Guajira	VII	RG	YES	959,104	na
Alto Río Bojayá	VII	RG		50,160	na
Alto Río Buey	VII	RG		13,151	na
Alto Río Cuta	VII	RG		22,362	na
Alto Río Tagachí	VII	RG		21,260	na
Alto del Rey	VII	RG		1,244	na
Amenanae o Charco del Niño Dios	VII	RG		6,990	na
Arara	VII	RG		12,300	na
Arhuaco de la Sierra Nevada	VII	RG		195,900	na
Arquía	VII	RG		2,343	na
Arrecifal	VII	RG	YES	4,560	na
Atana Pirariami	VII	RG		48,800	na
Avirama	VII	RG		2,518	na
Bachaco Buena Vista	VII	RG		73,280	na
Bajo Río Vichada o Santa Rita	VII	RG		424,320	na
Barranquito Laguna Colorado	VII	RG		19,132	na
Belaicazar	VII	RG		6,000	na
Beté, Auro Beté y Auro del Buey	VII	RG		11,580	na
Buenavista	VII	RG		4,500	na
Burujón o La Unión San Bernardo	VII	RG		6,960	na
Cabeceras o Puerto Pizario	VII	RG		2,920	na
Caimanero de Jampapa	VII	RG		1,742	na
Calenturas	VII	RG		3,066	na
Calle Santa Rosa	VII	RG	YES	21,320	na
Campoalegre y Ripialito	VII	RG		7,815	na
Cañamoho	VII	RG		1,036	na
Caño Bachaco	VII	RG		6,074	na
Caño Bocón Brazo Amanaven	VII	RG		10,085	na
Caño Cavasi	VII	RG		36,000	na
Caño Guáripa	VII	RG		7,705	na
Caño Jabón	VII	RG		9,040	na
Caño La Hormiga	VII	RG		4,327	na
Caño Mochuelo Hato Corozal	VII	RG		94,600	na
Caño Negro	VII	RG		1,833	na
Caño Ovejas o Betania Corocito	VII	RG		1,720	na
Caño Zama	VII	RG		73,380	na
Caños Cuna Tsepajibo Warracaña	VII	RG		56,000	na
Carpintero Palomas	VII	RG		40,680	na
Carrizal	VII	RG		9,870	na
Chachajo	VII	RG		2,240	na
Chagpién Tordó	VII	RG		22,460	na
Chamí Margen Izquierda R S Juan	VII	RG		7,030	na
Chamí Río Garrapatas	VII	RG		15,730	na
Chaparral Barronegro	VII	RG		14,230	na
Chimborazo	VII	RG		2,112	na
Chimurro y Nedo	VII	RG		13,185	na
Chololobo Matatu	VII	RG		6,385	na
Chuscal y Tuguriducito	VII	RG		5,122	na
Coayare El Coco	VII	RG		11,840	na
Cobaría	VII	RG		45,400	na
Coconuco	VII	RG		3,424	na
Colimbs	VII	RG		1,600	na
Comeyafú	VII	RG		19,180	na
Consejo	VII	RG		4,500	na
Coquiona	VII	RG		6,239	na
Córdoba	VII	RG		4,000	na
Corocoro	VII	RG		33,500	na
Coropoya	VII	RG		3,923	na
Cota	VII	RG		1,859	na
Cuaiquer o Awua del Alto Albí	VII	RG		4,760	na
Cuambí Yaslambí	VII	RG		3,000	na
Cuayuyaco	VII	RG		1,260	na
Cumaral Brazo Amanaven	VII	RG		23,355	na
Cumbal	VII	RG		8,000	na
Cusay o la Colorada	VII	RG		1,200	na
Docordó Balsalito	VII	RG		4,140	na
Egua Guariacana	VII	RG		15,390	na
El Doce o Quebrada Borbollón	VII	RG		1,185	na
El Duya, San Juanito y Paravare	VII	RG		21,300	na
El Hacha	VII	RG		6,637	na
El Quince	VII	RG		1,200	na
El Saladillo	VII	RG		1,595	na
El Suspiro o Rincón del Socorro	VII	RG		1,978	na
El Tablero	VII	RG		4,336	na
El Unuma	VII	RG		418,840	na
El Veinte, Playalta y El Noventa	VII	RG		3,334	na
El Venado	VII	RG		34,160	na
El Zaino, Guayabito, Muriaytuy	VII	RG		1,175	na
Gabarra Catalaura	VII	RG		13,300	na
Gaño Claro	VII	RG		1,633	na
Giro Brazo Amanaven	VII	RG		20,310	na
Guacamayas Mamiyare	VII	RG		18,700	na
Guachavez	VII	RG		1,052	na
Guachicono	VII	RG		13,932	na
Guachucal	VII	RG		3,000	na
Guaco Bajo y Guaco Alto	VII	RG		49,660	na
Guaguando	VII	RG		13,260	na
Guambia	VII	RG		18,529	na
Guangüí	VII	RG		24,100	na
Guayabal de Partadó	VII	RG	YES	4,376	na
Honduras	VII	RG		21,121	na
Huila	VII	RG		41,402	na
Iguana	VII	RG		10,900	na
Infí	VII	RG		4,200	na
Inga de Nineras	VII	RG		3,394	na
Ipiales	VII	RG		5,156	na
Iroka	VII	RG		8,600	na
Jagual Río Chintadó	VII	RG		28,175	na
Jambaio	VII	RG		23,476	na
Jirijiri	VII	RG		4,960	na
Juradó	VII	RG	YES	16,700	na
Kananeruba	VII	RG		9,150	na
La Esmeralda	VII	RG		2,762	na
La Llanura	VII	RG		74,000	na
La Montana	VII	RG		20,300	na
La Pascua	VII	RG		19,120	na
La Samaritana	VII	RG		4,185	na
Laguna Anguilla La Macarena	VII	RG		16,130	na
Laguna Curvina Sapuara	VII	RG		3,350	na
Laguna Negra y Cacao	VII	RG		18,480	na
Macuare	VII	RG		24,000	na
Mallama	VII	RG		1,281	na
Matavén Fruta	VII	RG		84,453	na
Mayasquer	VII	RG		3,000	na
Merey La Veraita	VII	RG		3,107	na
Ministas Miralindo	VII	RG		40,200	na
Mirití Paraná	VII	RG		1,162,500	na
Mondo Mondocito	VII	RG		1,232	na
Monochoa	VII	RG		376,800	na
Morocoto Buenavista	VII	RG		49,940	na
Mosoco	VII	RG		12,025	na
Muellanues	VII	RG		2,000	na
Murciélago Altamira	VII	RG		7,960	na
Napipí	VII	RG		21,910	na
Nazareth	VII	RG		1,300	na
Nunuya de Villazul	VII	RG		142,620	na
Opogadó	VII	RG		29,020	na
Panam	VII	RG		4,000	na
Pancitara	VII	RG		9,636	na
Papayo	VII	RG		2,460	na
Parte Oriental del Vaupés	VII	RG		3,354,097	na
Pioya	VII	RG		1,600	na
Pirayo	VII	RG		5,000	na
Polines	VII	RG		2,538	na
Potosí	VII	RG		1,800	na
Predio Putumayo	VII	RG		5,230,552	na
Puadó, Mataré, La Lerma YES Terdó	VII	RG		12,662	na
Pueblo Nuevo Laguna Colorada	VII	RG		44,845	na
Pueblo Nuevo	VII	RG		5,000	na
Puerto Alegre y la Divisa	VII	RG	YES	22,365	na
Puerto Córdoba	VII	RG	YES	39,700	na
Puerto Libre Río Pepe	VII	RG	YES	2,069	na
Puerto Sábalo y los Monos	VII	RG	YES	303,700	na
Puracé	VII	RG		6,203	na
Quichaya	VII	RG		1,500	na
Quizgo	VII	RG		10,000	na
Remanzo Chorro Bocon	VII	RG		73,680	na
Río Bebarama	VII	RG		8,875	na
Río Blanco	VII	RG		5,000	na
Río Curiche	VII	RG	YES	8,965	na
Río Domingodó	VII	RG		24,590	na
Río Ichó y Quebrada Baratudo	VII	RG		5,342	na
Río Jarapetó	VII	RG		5,583	na
Río Mumbú	VII	RG		3,000	na
Río Murindó	VII	RG		18,270	na
Río Neguá	VII	RG		5,463	na
Río Nuquí	VII	RG	YES	9,500	na
Río Orpua	VII	RG	YES	22,290	na
Río Pangui	VII	RG	YES	7,870	na
Río Pichimá	VII	RG		9,024	na
Río Quiparadó	VII	RG		9,860	na
Río Siare o Barranco Lindo	VII	RG		47,320	na
Río Taparai	VII	RG		14,212	na
Ríos Catrú y Dubasa	VII	RG		48,980	na
Ríos Jurubidá, Chorí y Alto Baudó	VII	RG		80,350	na
Ríos Lanas o Capá	VII	RG		6,400	na
Ríos Pato y Jengado	VII	RG		3,162	na
Ríos Tomo Weberi	VII	RG		60,540	na
Ríos Uva y Pogue	VII	RG		47,500	na
Rios Valley Boroboro	VII	RG		21,020	na
S. Andrés de Sotavento	VII	RG		6,219	na
Salaqui Pavarandó	VII	RG		107,000	na
San Andrés de Pisimbaia	VII	RG		3,365	na
San Antonio del Fragua	VII	RG		1,400	na
San Francisco I	VII	RG		15,064	na
San José	VII	RG		11,037	na
San Luís del Tomo	VII	RG		25,100	na
San Matías o Jai Dukama	VII	RG		1,371	na
San Sebastián	VII	RG		1,300	na
Santa Maria de Pángala	VII	RG		9,500	na
Santa Rosa	VII	RG		1,587	na
Santa Rosalía	VII	RG		5,700	na
Santa Sofia y el Progreso	VII	RG		4,200	na
Santa Teresita del Tuparro	VII	RG		180,000	na
Saracure y Río Cadá	VII	RG		174,000	na
Sejalito San Benito	VII	RG		4,823	na
Sibundoy Parte Alta	VII	RG		3,252	na
Sokorpa	VII	RG		25,000	na
Sta Cecilia Quebrada Rio Choco	VII	RG		5,723	na
Suin	VII	RG		10,533	na
Tacueyo	VII	RG		27,885	na
Tahamí del Andágueda	VII	RG		50,000	na
Tarena	VII	RG		4,888	na
Tigres y Monchique	VII	RG		8,254	na
Tiosilidio	VII	RG		4,560	na
Toez	VII	RG		7,687	na
Togoromá	VII	RG		8,640	na
Toribio	VII	RG		9,018	na
Totoro I	VII	RG		4,161	na
Totoro II	VII	RG		1,906	na
Trapiche Río Pepe	VII	RG		1,008	na
Trupiogancho y la Meseta	VII	RG		2,309	na
Tumbichucué	VII	RG		4,300	na
Tunebo de Angostura	VII	RG		3,282	na
Unión Chocó San Cristóbal	VII	RG		21,400	na
Valdivia	VII	RG		3,985	na
Valle del Sibundol	VII	RG		3,252	na
Vitonco	VII	RG		7,245	na
Wayúu de Lomamato	VII	RG		1,572	na
Witora	VII	RG		67,200	na
Yaigoje Río Apaporis	VII	RG		518,320	na
Yanguillo	VII	RG		4,230	na
Yuquiva	VII	RG		16,380	na
Yurí Brazo Amana ven	VII	RG		15,836	na
Medio Río Guainia Serrania Naquen	VII	IR		853,320	na
Agua Clara y Bella Luz del Río Ampora	VII	RG		9,850	na
Barranco Ceiba y Laguna Araguato	VII	RG		24,940	na
Bellavista y Unión Pitalito o Río Siguirisua	VII	RG		29,260	na
Caranacoa Yurí Laguna Morocoto	VII	RG		45,840	na
Chamií Río San Juan Margen Derecha	VII	RG		17,770	na
Kilómetro 6 y 11 Carretera Leticia Tarapacá	VII	RG		7,500	na
Mocagua, Macedonia, El Vergel y Zaragoza	VII	RG		16,750	na
Puerto Naranjo, Penas Rojas, Cuerazo ey El D	VII	RG		3,000	na
Quebrada Cañaveral Río San Jorge	VII	RG		2,815	na
Ariari Guayabero	VIII	SMA		1,022,339	1989
La Macarena Norte	VIII	SMA		467,010	1989
La Macarena Sur	VIII	SMA		33,200	1989
Amazonía	VIII	FR		32,632,92	na
Central	VIII	FR		1,619,800	1959
Pacífico	VIII	FR		7,398,075	1959
Río Magdelena	VIII	FR		2,107,750	1959
Serranía de Los Motilones	VIII	FR		477,978	1959
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta	VIII	FR		600,000	1959
Sierra del Cocuy	VIII	FR		579,250	1959
Subtotal	263		16	39,368,527
Cinturón Andino	IX	BR		855,000	1979
El Tuparro	IX	BR		928,125	1979
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta	IX	BR		731,250	1979
Subtotal	3		1	2,514,375

*= The National Parks of Colombia now total 46, but it was only possible to provide detailed information on 33.

IUCN MANAGEMENT CATEGORY	No. of Protected Areas (PAs)	PAs with Marine or Coastal Zones	Extension
Category I	2	0	1,947,000
Category II	33	8	7,043,790
Category III	0	0	0
Category IV	6	2	57,395
Category V	38	0	342,911
Categories VI-VIII	263	16	39,368,527
Biosphere Reserves	3	1	2,514,375
World Heritage Sites	0	0	0
Ramsar Sites	0	0	0
Total (1)	345	27	50,125,998