With more than 4.2 million hectares, it preserves virgin forests, rock art and indigenous peoples in isolation.
News Colombia.
Colombia is a privileged country for its natural and cultural diversity. From the Amazon to the Caribbean, passing through the Pacific and the deepest regions of the East, the territory is home to unique ecosystems that have made the country a world reference in the nature tourism and environmental conservation. On this map of wonders, there is a place that stands out for its mystery, magnitude and historical value: the Serranía de Chiribiquete National Natural Park.
Located between the departments of Caquetá and GuaviareChiribiquete is a natural and cultural jewel of the System of National Natural Parks of Colombiacreated to protect and conserve the ecological wealth of the amazon basin. This park was declared a protected area in 1989with an initial extension of 1,298,955 hectaresmarking a milestone in the country’s environmental conservation.
Thanks to scientific research, expeditions and studies that showed its enormous environmental, cultural and archaeological value, the park was expanded twice. The latest extension, established through the Resolution 1256 of July 10, 2018allowed Chiribiquete to reach a total extension of 4,268,095 hectaresbecoming the largest terrestrial protected area in Colombia.
The Serranía de Chiribiquete National Natural Park is recognized for its extraordinary landscapesdominated by gigantic tepui rock formationsvirgin jungles and rivers that have remained almost intact for millions of years. Their ecosystems play a key role in the water and climate regulationin addition to guaranteeing the connectivity and ecological integrity of the Colombian Amazon.
One of the park’s greatest treasures is found in its cliffs: one of the largest collections of prehistoric rock art in the world. Along about 12 kilometersthousands of pictograms narrate scenes of animals, human figures and ancestral rituals dating back approximately 12,500 yearswhich is why the place has been called the Sistine Chapel of the Amazon.
The paintings include representations of species that are now extinct, such as the mastodonhe paleolamathe giant sloths and ancient horseswhich has allowed scientists to establish its antiquity and understand the relationship between the first inhabitants of the territory and the megafauna of the continent.
In addition to its biological and archaeological wealth, Chiribiquete is home to indigenous peoples in voluntary isolationwhose protection is a priority for the Colombian State. The regulation of activities within the park is governed by the Decree 1232 of 2018which establishes strict measures to guarantee your rights and avoid any type of unwanted contact.
Due to its exceptional value, the Serranía de Chiribiquete National Natural Park was declared in 2018 Cultural and Biological Heritage of Humanity by UNESCOconsolidating itself as one of the most important natural sanctuaries in Latin America and a symbol of Colombia’s commitment to the conservation of its natural and cultural heritage.
