Páramos de Colombia
by: Raquel Bermudez 4A and Manuela López 4B
The “paramos” are one of the world´s most important ecosystems.Colombia is lucky enough to count with different “paramos” that hold important natural resources and beautiful forms of life. To be specific the fauna and flora of the “paramos” is conformed by: jaguars, monkeys, condors, eagles, deers, the “oso de anteojos”, and many other species that are endangered thanks to our crooked society. All around the world we can find these beautiful places, but today we are going to talk about colombian “paramos”.
Chingaza: Chingaza is near Bogota, and is one of the most important “paramos” in Colombia because it holds different wonders of nature and provides us with important natural resources.
Oceta: Oceta “paramo” is in Boyaca. It is Colombia’s most beautiful” paramo” and is probably the country’s best-preserved.
Iguaque: Iguaque, also in Boyacá, is another sacred “paramo”, believed by the ancient Muisca people to be the origin of all mankind. Most hikers head to Iguaque lagoon, around a four-hour return hike from the town of Villa de Leyva.
Puracé: Puracé National Park lives up to the “paramo’s” “water source” reputation by giving birth to four Colombian rivers (the Magdalena, Cauca, Japurá and Patía) and is also the site of one of the country’s most volatile volcanoes, the Puracé.
These sacred places give us life by giving us water. The magnificent ecosystem consists of different plants that recollect water and also by rivers that bring water to us. This system makes it possible that we receive water, and therefore we must take care of it and appreciate every single drop.
The “paramos” are an ecosystem that we need to survive. They are vital because they are our source of clean water. We, as Colombians, need to understand that we must preserve these ecosystems and take care of nearly 70% of “paramos” of all the world that today stand in our nation. A few years ago one of our presidents wanted to exploit the “paramos” to get gold, therefore we need to unite as a nation and protect our territory from greedy people.