Despite being a UNESCO biosphere reserve, the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta wetlands face severe environmental degradation. Local communities, including Nueva Venecia and Buenavista, struggle with dwindling fish populations and polluted freshwater sources due to poor infrastructure and government inaction. Since the mid-20th century, the construction of two highways has disrupted natural water flows, leading to salination and significant ecological impacts. Yeidis Rodriguez Suarez describes her community as forgotten, underscoring the dire situation where natural abundance is undermined, resulting in reliance on contaminated water sources.
The dramatic changes to the Cienaga's hydrology are reflected in the area's plummeting fish populations.
We are a people that have been forgotten, she says. The Cienaga is depleted.
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