Last January 8, 2013, the Regional Autonomous Corporation for the Defense of the Bucaramanga Plateau-CDMB-, declared the Santurban Regional Natural Park in order to protect 11,700 hectares from any type of mining and agricultural activities, as it is considered an area of great natural richness. Likewise, an area of 600 additional hectares was destined for the creation of an integrated management district-DMI-.
The former minister of environment, Manuel Rodríguez, referred to this decision when stating that “it should be the beginning of a movement for the creation of new parks to protect unique values that are today in danger”.
Notwithstanding the above, not everyone who is involved and who may possibly be affected with this decision believe that a good decision was made: “The Town Hall of Vetas (Santander) launched an SOS to the National Government because it considers that with the declaration of the Santurban Regional Natural Park the rural future of the population will be put under a serious risk”.
The mayor of Vetas considers that such decision will affect the economic activity of the town, and so it will affect more than 10 thousand inhabitants.