In Puerto Boyacá, a technological project for the conservation of the Abierto Alto forest is progressing

• Between 2018 and 2022, there was a 100% increase in the diversity index present in the humid tropical forest within Campo Velásquez, in Puerto Boyacá.
• The BIOSENSOR AREA project, defined by Mansarovar Energy, along with training and forums for the communities and collaborators of the company, is a development in search of the articulation of technology and corporate social responsibility for environmental conservation.

In Puerto Boyacá (Boyacá department), a monitoring project for fauna and flora has been implemented since 2018, which consists of equipment such as camera traps, GPS, mist nets, drones, in addition to the use of satellite images and geographic platforms, in an area of high open forest (biosensor area) to identify and analyze variations in wildlife and forest flora, as well as the effectiveness of the protection measures implemented by Mansarovar to protect sensitive habitats and ecosystems during the development of Campo Velásquez operations.

The biosensor area has a carbon capture capacity of 159 tons of CO₂ per year, and the forest has achieved a capture of 98,000 tons of CO₂ during its lifetime. In addition to the capacity for carbon dioxide retention, the studies analyze the effectiveness of the measures implemented by the company to conserve biodiversity through technological equipment that monitors the presence of species in the area.

The use of technology and artificial intelligence has become key tools for real-time monitoring, measurement, and tracking of biodiversity, through tools for executing greenhouse gas emission measurement projects.

Thanks to this, between 2018 and 2022, the diversity variation index increased, and the presence of bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species in the area was consolidated, reaching 100% during the rainy season and 98.81% during the dry season, having a more suitable habitat for their survival.

These results are representative at the national level considering that, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Colombia is the country with the largest area of tropical forest in the world, 521% of its territory, and simultaneously the seventh with the greatest loss of humid tropical forests, between 2002 and 2021, according to the World Resources Institute ranking.

Joining the effort in its conservation, Mansarovar Energy conducts two fauna and flora monitoring sessions per year, using geographic technology and real-time data collection, during the dry season (January) and during the rainy season (October), or in transitional climatic seasons between low and high precipitation (March, June, or August), using standardized methodologies to determine local diversity, allowing significant comparisons between the monitored periods.

These results are the consequence of the implementation of annual activities such as training and forums with the communities and personnel in Campo Velásquez (the company's oil exploitation field), which also included children and young people in the community area, aimed at enhancing the conservation of flora and fauna and their benefits in the communities.

Fabiola Guerrero, HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) Manager of Mansarovar Energy explained: “Colombia has a privileged position in the world, being the third most biodiverse country. However, it faces a huge challenge regarding its conservation, considering that there are more than 2,600 threatened species at risk of extinction. This type of project that connects technology and communities can definitely contribute to the environment in Colombia.”.

The biosensor area for the conservation of the humid tropical forest in Puerto Boyacá represents an innovative approach that can be replicated in Colombia, which continues to face constant deforestation and loss of biodiversity.

The participation of the private sector as a financier and developer of conservation and social responsibility initiatives is crucial to address these challenges comprehensively along with national authorities.