Action Fund

The Environmental Indigenous Guard in Colombia continues its vital work in protecting the páramo, one of the world’s most important and rapidly evolving ecosystems. The páramo, nestled in the high mountains between the tree line and glaciers, is a crucial water source for millions of Colombians and plays a significant role in regulating the planet’s climate. Only three countries, including Colombia, are home to this rare ecosystem, making its preservation essential not only locally but globally.

In the Gran Cumbal region, three generations of the Environmental Indigenous Guard have dedicated themselves to preserving the páramo and safeguarding their ancestral land.



Marisol Cuatin, a current member of the Indigenous Guard, describes their mission:

“The Environmental Indigenous Guard is a non-profit organization of the Gran Cumbal indigenous reservation, composed of men, women, boys and girls whose aim is to protect the territory from an environmental and a security perspective,” Marisol shared. “We are trained to respond to natural disasters, such as forest fires and avalanches, and are deeply committed to caring for the land."

The impacts of climate change are increasingly evident in the páramo. Marisol and the Guard have witnessed the climate crisis firsthand, with changing weather patterns and longer droughts affecting the land and its resources. “What we knew as the cabañuelas, a method of forecasting the weather at the beginning of the year, doesn’t work anymore. It’s unreliable,” Marisol said. “I think one of the most worrying things about climate change is what it means for our children’s future. Many children will not enjoy fresh air, safe drinking water, and nature.”

Marisol’s mother, Luz Marina Cuatin, also a member of the Guard, has seen how these changes have altered the environment over the years. She recalls a time when the rivers were full, and the vegetation was dense. Now, as water levels drop, Luz Marina worries about the future.



“We are getting old, but our grandchildren might suffer the most,” she reflected.

The youngest member of the Guard, 7-year-old Maria, already understands the importance of their work. During COP28, Maria sent a heartfelt message to world leaders: “I belong to the Indigenous Guard because I want to take care of the environment, take care of the water and the páramo. When I grow up, I still want to be an environmental guardian.”

ActionAid, in partnership with Alianza por la Solidaridad, continues to support the Indigenous Environmental Guard by providing resources and training for emergency-response skills. This support is crucial as the climate crisis accelerates and the threats to the páramo—and the communities that depend on it—grow.

The efforts of the Indigenous Guard serve as an inspiring reminder of the power of community-driven environmental stewardship. Their commitment is essential in the global fight against climate change, and with continued support, their work can safeguard the páramo for generations to come.

 
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