The development of Colombia through megaprojects generates greater vulnerability on the natural resources By Mauricio A. Cordoba

The development of Colombia through megaprojects generates greater vulnerability on the natural resources

In many countries of the world there are megaprojects or mega-structures that seek to improve the quality of life. In Colomibia megaprojects are being built that seek to boost the development of a country, and facilitate world trade. The technological backwardness in our contry, the need to compet with globalized markets, the need fo economic and social development has led political leaders to design innovative proposals in Colombia that point to a development within the framewok of a prodective transformation with social equity. But, the development of the country, would end with poverty, the marginality of our citizens, industrialization without regulation or environmental control, indiscriminate exploitation and deterioration of natural resources, non-water pollution, air, loss of native forest and the decline of the ozone layer?

Colombia being the second richest country in biodiversity, it is shameful to register 1000 environmental conflicts in the ranking of the countries that suffer the most from these environmental consequences. Colombia has problems in almost all regions, among the most outstanding problems are fumigations with glyphosate, loggers in the Chocó, hotels in the thayrona, extraction of gold and coal minerals, hydroelectric the quimbo and now the 4G pathways. These are evidences that the growth of our country has occurred at the expense of the destruction of our wealth or natural resources in a short span.

These projects that seek the development of Colombia are processes that generate strong transformations of ecosystems, mainly indiscriminate deforestation, loss of water properties, extinction of species, loss of more than 200 species of flora, of crops that sustain Many of the departments of Colombia and therefore the country, emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, rising temperatures and global warming.

Currently in our municipality does not register a study by a recognized entity, but the experience as inhabitants of Pitalito has allowed us to identify how the elevation of temperatures has generated drought in our crops, decreased productivity, unemployment and unfavorable environments for our health and wellness. It is necessary to reflect and act on the development of our country, because it generates greater vulnerability on natural resources and more pollution, this does not mean that the country should not develop, we need environmental policies, effective to conserve our heritage Natural, environmental and cultural that are the bases of our future strength.

We can highlight that the track 4G Santana Mocoa-Neiva and Hidroeléctrica el Quimbo are two megaprojects that seek the development of the country, the Hydroelectric with the purpose of commercializing energy and turning the Huila into the main producer, the route 4G as the tourist corridor South of Huila, where variants will be constructed that pass through Hobo, giant, Timaná, Mocoa, villa garzón, Puerto Garzón and Puerto Caicedo. The question is; Does our country really progress through mega projects without affecting the quality of life of our future generations?

Quimbo Hydroelectric is based on its environmental policy "Operate with the Environment", but in reality it has brought 362 displaced families, decomposition of water, loss of 3000 hectares of afforestation, loss of 324 species of flora, extinction of species, Loss of cultural heritage, loss of major crops supporting the department's economy and loss of new projects, already approved, emission of greenhouse gases due to indiscriminate felling of trees and water stagnation. It's time to think, at the moment the Santana way begins, another concern; How many trees will be felled? If logging generates an increase in the emission of carbon dioxide, what degrees of temperature will we reach? What are we going to do to the environmental problems that hasten us? Environmental problems often concern political development decisions. Any ongoing project seeking development in the country should not violate constitutional rights; "Right to a healthy environment. Environment as common heritage sustainable development "according to the political constitution of 1991.

What should we do? Our political system must comply with established environmental rights and duties and achieve sustainable development through technological and pedagogical projects as means of control or contingency. If Colombia follows the example of other countries to achieve development in mega projects, why not do it in mega environmental projects that favors a set of common and essential goods for society as established by law 99 of 93? For example, developed countries control the emission of carbon dioxide through underground storage holds in geological formations, under sealed rocks, depleted oil wells and aquifers, as well as generate trade through the use of carbon dioxide to produce pharmaceuticals, manufacture fuels , Cultivating algae as energy sources, manufacturing cement, putting out fires, among others. We can develop and progress our country sustainably, but we need the political system to appropriate and respect the rights, equally of trained people, with more education than innovate and make use of resources that cause environmental problems.