LA RAZON has reported that a forest fire prevention program linked to the Urrá Hydroelectric Plant reservoir has contributed to the protection of over 2,000 hectares of native forest in Colombia.
The program was launched four years ago and focuses on addressing the frequent forest fires in the area caused by traditional large-scale burning practices for agriculture.
Paola Quintero, a forestry advisor for the Urrá company, said the prevention plan is based on training, inter-institutional coordination, and equipment provision.
Quintero explained that more than 500 forest rangers have received training during the program’s implementation.
Participants included local residents, business employees, and members of emergency relief agencies.
The company stated that these efforts aim to create lasting awareness in communities where open burning was historically common.
Quintero said: “We want to see a reduction in forest fires year after year, and our main task is to create a culture of prevention.
“It starts by telling those who live in the area that burning is illegal and that intentional forest fires are an environmental crime.”
Elsa Arias, head of Planning at Urrá, said the plan’s development alone required an initial investment of 60 million pesos.
She added that more than 300 million pesos are invested each year to maintain and operate the program.
The company did not provide further detail on how this funding is allocated across its activities.
Before the plan was introduced, forest fires were common in the area, with agricultural expansion being the primary cause.
Urrá stated that one of the goals of the program is to address these behaviors by educating communities on legal restrictions and environmental impacts.
The company noted that community engagement and awareness are central to the prevention strategy.
LA RAZON has reported that the Urrá Hydroelectric Plant has implemented a forest fire prevention plan in Colombia’s Córdoba region.
The program has been in place for four years and has protected over 2,000 hectares of native forest.
The initiative was created in response to widespread forest fires caused by agricultural burning.
Paola Quintero of Urrá said the plan focuses on training, coordination, and equipment.
Over 500 forest rangers have been trained.
Participants include residents, business staff, and emergency personnel.
Elsa Arias of Urrá said the plan cost 60 million pesos to develop.
More than 300 million pesos are invested each year to sustain the initiative.
Quintero said intentional forest fires are an environmental crime.
The program aims to build a culture of fire prevention within local communities.
