Selibas, D. (2023, February 6). Pink dolphins and reformed Colombian rebels turn no-go zone into ecotourism hit. Retrieved August 24, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/06/rainforest-colombia-farc-amazon-river-dolphins-peace-aoe 

Former guerillas of the Farc of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia living in rural communities have become allies of Colombia’s Amazon basin, where tourism is providing opportunities for reconciliation as well as creating jobs and promoting conservation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature listed the boto, a species of dolphin regarded as divine creatures by Indigenous peoples of South America, as an endangered species in 2018. The threat to the dolphins was caused by commercial fishing, dams, and pollution. Colombia’s newly elected president and the community members themselves have begun using the country’s rich biodiversity to promote economic development.

Ecotourism has allowed a wide variety of communities to protect their environment and increase economic development. I found it interesting that the community was able to take control of an issue put upon them by large corporations and prevent what could’ve become a tragedy of the commons situation. They’ve even promoted the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, showing their care for their environment. Ecotourism has allowed for a community to turn around a desperate situation.