From the abstract and conclusions of this paper on civil conflict and deforestation in Colombia:
Despite a growing body of literature on how environmental degradation can fuel civil war, the reverse effect, namely that of conflict on environmental outcomes, is relatively understudied.
[….]
We study this relationship in the case of Colombia.
[….]
Our results are consistent with the idea that paramilitary militias use the following modus operandi: first, valuable territories are cleared through violent intimidation, which induces forced displacement; second, the vacated land is purchased at very low prices; and third, legal and illegal investments are instituted in those areas. Examples of end products of this process are coca crops, mineral exploitation and oil palm agriculture.
[….]
…violent conflict in Colombia has been a force that has driven and continues to drive deforestation.
Leave a Reply