The Atrato River in Colombia's Choco region is a critical ecosystem housing unique species due to its dense, impenetrable rainforest. Maria Mosquera, a local community leader, highlights the rampant illegal deforestation occurring without oversight or control, despite global efforts to protect the area. A recent Environmental Investigation Agency report reveals that illegal timber trade is flourishing, with millions worth being exported to the US and Europe, financing powerful armed groups while threatening this ecology. The situation calls for immediate attention to enforce conservation measures and preserve this vital habitat.
The world's largest conservation organisations have long sought to protect these biodiverse forests, home to jaguars, anteaters, Geoffroy's tamarins, and dozens of other endangered species.
According to a new report by the charity Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), timber is still being illegally cut and exported to the US, Canada and Europe.
We saw none of the controls you would expect to seeâno evidence of any government oversight whatsoever, according to the EIA investigators observing the situation.
Maria Mosquera, a community leader in the region, expresses deep concern over deforestation, stating, 'They're cutting down the forest indiscriminately and there is no one to stop them.'
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