The political situation in Colombia

Ecotourism helped recovery from the war

The Colombian town of Mesetas has become a tourist destination because of its unique biodiversity, reports The Guardian. The town is a point for three different ecosystems – the Andes, the Amazon and the Orinoco.

Just two years ago, it was impossible for tourists to enjoy the area because the town was the center of the armed conflict that has ravaged the country for decades.

It is after the historic peace agreement in 2016 that the people of Mesetas have begun to realize the great potential and great value of the nature around the town.

William Rodríguez: “We did not appreciate the beauty”

Since the town of Mesetas in Colombia has become popular among nature-loving tourists after the peace agreement in 2016, farmer William Rodríguez has begun to see his town and nature with new eyes, writes The Guardian.

“We didn’t appreciate the beauty around us and we didn’t think people would be interested in coming here until others showed us that we have amazing waterfalls and impressive viewpoints.”

He is now involved in both a reforestation project and rural tourism.

Jairo Roncancio, 25, who works as a tourist guide and birdwatcher in the area, believes that the development of nature tourism has changed people’s mentality. He tells the newspaper how he and his brother used to hunt birds with slingshots.

“Now I’m in love with the birds, the river and nature in general,” he says.