In the heart of Colombia's Amazon region, extreme drought has become a harsh reality for Indigenous communities relying on the river for their livelihoods. Marciano Flores, a 69-year-old fisherman from the Cocama Indigenous community, stands as a testament to the resilience and challenges faced by his people.
\"The drought has hit me hard,\" said Flores. \"When the water's low, the fish die, so there's nothing to get.\" Standing knee-deep in the Amazon River with his crew, Flores describes a scene that was unimaginable just a year ago. The river, once teeming with life and abundant fish, has receded to levels he's never seen before, making traditional fishing methods nearly impossible.
Barely a year ago, Flores and his team relied on the vast waters of the Amazon to catch fish efficiently. With his extensive knowledge of the river, Flores could easily locate the best spots to cast their nets. However, the prolonged drought has drastically lowered water levels, leading to dwindling fish populations. On days when the water is too low, their nets come up empty, forcing them to relocate further downriver in search of even the smallest catches.
This constant search not only reduces their daily catch but also increases fuel consumption, adding financial strain to already difficult circumstances. The decline in fish availability threatens not only their economic stability but also the cultural fabric of the Cocama community, which has depended on the river for generations.
The situation underscores the broader impacts of climate change on Indigenous populations, who are often on the frontlines of environmental shifts yet have limited resources to adapt. As the drought continues, the resilience of communities like Flores's becomes increasingly vital in the face of environmental adversity.
Reference(s):
In Colombia, extreme drought falls hard on Indigenous communities
cgtn.com
