In Colombiaʼs Choco region Melqui Mosquera a teacher‚ has set up a nature reserve to fight against the harm caused by illegal mining. The reserve which started with just 13 hectares in 2013 now covers more than 200 hectares. Mosquera is trying to get official status for the reserve‚ which could make the government give it more protection.
The reserve is one of many projects by local communities to save the Atrato River and its surroundings. These efforts are crucial as thereʼs no visible government presence and armed groups are taking over land to mine for gold. The projects are some of the last ways to protect the areas plants and animals‚ which cant survive in the polluted waters and bare land outside.
Outside the reserve things look bad. The entrance to San Isidro (where the reserve is) has a big makeshift mining dredge. Mosquera who is 60 years old said‚ “We have clashed with them (AGC) Because theres a part here with gold‚ you see. Theyʼve tried to take over to mine it“
The Atrato River‚ once a source of life for the community has been polluted by years of intense gold mining. This has torn up the riverbed leaked poisonous mercury into the water and cut down the surrounding forest. Mosquera has seen less and less wildlife along the Atrato especially on the Quito River where San Isidro is located. He says fish dont breed there anymore.
In Paimado‚ a group of women are working to bring the forest back. Dioselina Palacios who is 49‚ starts her day early carrying fertilizer to plant seedlings on land damaged by mining. The illegal gold mining with big machines ripped out trees and left the land rocky and full of sediment.
Nereida Romaña who is 65 and wears a green T-shirt with the projects logo said‚ “We are doing this work to see if we can replace a little bit of whats been lost Before‚ when there were no illegal machines you lived a good life here ... Now you cant even get fish“
The women use local resources to make organic fertilizers and plant native trees during a full moon as part of Afro-Colombian tradition. Theyʼve also planted medicinal plants that are important in their culture.
As the regions gold is quickly disappearing mothers like Palacios worry about what will be left for future generations – both in terms of money and the environment. Palacios fears that despite all the efforts something has been permanently lost. “I dont think its going to come back again. It was a thick jungle“ she said. “They work and they leave lots of holes and its not the same anymore“