Local communities celebrate the creation of a new protected area in the Colombian Chocó. Although the project aimed originally to protect over 12,000 acres, the outpour of local support increased the Central Rainforest Las Siete Sabias to over 75,000 acres of protected rainforest ecosystem. This newly designated natural and cultural jewel is located in the collective territory of Afro-Colombian communities, providing vital resources like clean drinking water to over 100,000 individuals. Las Siete Sabias boasts some of the highest biodiversity on the planet and protects 90 species of plants and over 470 species of animals. The forest canopy here is known to tower over 100 feet, creating multiple layers of habitat for these species to thrive. The declaration of the DRMI Central Rain Forest Las Siete Sabias- Esperanza de Vida was made possible thanks to the coordination of Codechocó as the environmental authority, the implementation of CORPARIEN and COCOMACIA, the technical support of ...