14 DAY TRIAL // Later this week, Colombia is to double the size of its largest wildlife sanctuary, the Chiribiquete National Park.
According to Mongabay, the park currently covers about 12,990 square kilometers (5.015 square miles). Once the planned expansion is carried out, it will cover 27,808 square kilometers (10,736 square miles).
Oil exploration and mining activities will not be allowed within this perimeter.
By the looks of it, the areas high officials in Colombia are looking to list as “protected” ones are home to two voluntarily isolated tribes, i.e. indigenous people who prefer not to have any contact with the outside world.
Still, it goes without saying that the plant and animal species inhabiting these areas will also benefit greatly from this measure.
Commenting on Colombia's decision to double the size of its Chiribiquete National Park, conservationist Liliana Madrigal of the Amazon Conservation Team stated as follows:
“The plan to expand Chiribiquete is great for Colombia.”
“Chiribiquete already protects an enormous wealth of flora and fauna, but its enlargement now also will facilitate the protection of voluntarily isolated indigenous peoples that are believed to inhabit the park and help ensure their right to remain uncontacted,” she added.