The Charco Azul wetland continues to leave myths and legends behind to consolidate itself as one of the most important urban ecosystems in eastern Cali.

In the administration led by Mayor Alejandro Eder, the Administrative Department of Environmental Management (Dagma) maintains constant work on environmental protection, conservation and recovery, hand in hand with the community.

This territory, considered one of the most relevant public wetlands in the capital of Valle del Cauca (the third in importance), is advancing with a clear vision: to become an eco-park.

For years, the Charco Azul lagoon was surrounded by myths and popular stories that pointed it out as a dangerous and mysterious place. Stories about animals, disappearances and risks fueled a negative perception that distanced many citizens from this ecosystem.

New look

Thanks to the work of Dagma and the community, Charco Azul is now seen as a territory of conservation, environmental education and citizen encounter, where bird watching, ecological trails and community participation have transformed ancient myths into environmental pride for Cali.

The wetland has a wide trail, where it is possible to spot 53 species of birds, both resident and migratory. During the month of February and within the framework of ‘World Wetlands Day’, the local environmental authority highlights the connection between these ecosystems and the communities that protect them.

“These spaces have three main functions: conservation, environmental education and landscape recreation. We are recovering this space for the enjoyment of Cali and all visitors. Here we have 53 types of birds,” explains Luis Alberto Acevedo, member of the Wetland Guardians group.

The articulated work between the Dagma and the citizens has allowed significant progress. Currently, Cali has nine co-management committees in the urban area and three in the rural area. The previous year, an investment of more than 800 million pesos was made, destined for the restoration of reflecting pools and protection strips, solid waste collection, beautification, educational actions and permanent maintenance.

Today, the Charco Azul lagoon is no longer a garbage dump or a waste dump. It is a recovered territory, with trails, orchards, biodiversity and community participation, which is projected as an environmental and tourist destination in Cali.

Beatriz Mosquera, project leader and representative of the Mejorando Vida Association, highlights the social and pedagogical impact of the wetland. “We are part of a social and environmental process where our Charco Azul wetland comes in. We have created a methodology that allows people from the community, from other cities and other countries, to come and learn about this space. We have received visitors from more than 12 countries and we have alliances with universities in Bogotá, Canada and England. Here we take tours of the trails and learn about plant species and birds,” he highlighted.

Follow the WhatsApp channel
Cali City

The Charco Azul lagoon was surrounded by myths and popular stories that pointed it out as a dangerous and mysterious place. Photo: Cali Mayor’s Office

For her part, Yurani Mosquera, a gardener in the sector, remembers how the territory went from being a waste dump to a living space. “Before, this was burning garbage and debris. With the planting we have generated a positive impact: the wetland is more beautiful, there is food protection and the land is used. We planted banana, papaya, passion fruit, guava, tomato and medicinal plants,” he described.

The permanent maintenance of the wetland falls, largely, in the hands of those who have lived there all their lives. Miryam Valencia, a resident of the sector for more than 40 years and guardian of the wetland, highlights the daily work. “We are in charge of the maintenance around the lagoon: cleaning, pruning, removal of bows, control of leaflet ants, African snails and invasive plants such as the pouter. We have the support of the committee and the District, which is always aware of the community processes,” he assures.

The Charco Azul lagoon is a recovered territory, with trails, orchards, biodiversity and community participation. Photo: Cali Mayor’s Office

A suitable place for bird watching

According to the environmental diagnosis, in Cali there are approximately 600 species of birds and more than 700 species of fauna. “We have been making a great investment in order to recover and beautify these ecosystems of Cali. On February 14 we will have a bird watching day in Charco Azul, a natural wetland that has a space with a great wealth of birds,” commented Mónica Londoño, leader of the Dagma Ecosystems Group.

In the administration led by Mayor Alejandro Eder, the Administrative Department of Environmental Management (Dagma) maintains constant work on environmental protection, conservation and recovery. Photo: Cali Mayor’s Office

Historical memory

Beyond the legends, Charco Azul also holds an important chapter in the history of the city. Several historians remember that in 1971, during the Pan American Games in Cali, this wetland was used as a setting for canoeing practices, evidencing its sporting and environmental relevance at that time.

a fact

Of the 61 wetlands that exist in the ‘Biodiversa Capital of Colombia’, 16 are located on public land and 43 on private land.

Charco Azul is part of the group of public wetlands prioritized for its ecological and social value, becoming a true lung of eastern Cali. It is an example of environmental recovery with community participation and a space for conservation and citizen meeting, which today is projected as an ecopark and natural heritage of the city.

In 1971, during the Pan American Games in Cali, this wetland was used as a setting for canoeing practices. Photo: Cali Mayor’s Office

Camera and photos: Sebastián Tancino and Dagma