La extracción de musgo y orquídeas amenaza la regulación hídrica en Bogotá en los cerros orientales por temporada navideña

The Regional Autonomous Corporation of Cundinamarca (CAR) has intensified monitoring operations in December in the Eastern Hills of Bogotá to prevent the illegal extraction of moss, orchids, and bromeliads—species traditionally used for creating nativity scenes and holiday decorations.

Teams of environmental professionals from the Bogotá–La Calera Regional Directorate are traversing trails and areas of moorland and sub-moors to ensure that native vegetation covers are not removed. So far, the operations have not detected any violations, but the agency remains alert and warns of penalties for those who engage in these practices.

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According to Alerta Bogotá, the holiday season represents a critical time for mountain ecosystems, as it increases the demand for species such as moss, orchids, and bromeliads for ornamental purposes.

Thus, the CAR has enhanced its institutional presence in the Eastern Hills, conducting constant patrols and overseeing strategic areas to thwart illegal interventions in vegetation.

These operations aim not only to detect violators but also to raise public awareness about the importance of protecting these species. Vigilance will continue throughout the holiday season, given the fragility of these ecosystems.

Moss, referred to by botanists as “the skin of the forest and moor,” plays a crucial role in conserving water resources.

As explained by William Díaz, a forest engineer from the Bogotá–La Calera Regional Directorate, in statements collected by El Tiempo, mosses can absorb between 20 and 40 times their weight in water.

This means that extracting one kilogram prevents up to 40 liters of water from remaining in the ecosystem of the eastern hills or moorlands. This moisture retention capacity helps sustain water sources and regulate hydrological flow in high areas, which is essential for supplying water to Bogotá and nearby municipalities.

Orchids and bromeliads also perform key ecological functions. These species, by attaching to rocks and trunks, facilitate nutrient exchange, contribute to soil formation, and support biodiversity in high mountain ecosystems. Protecting them is a priority for CAR, as their alteration directly impacts the natural processes maintaining ecological balance.

The extraction of moss, orchids, and bromeliads has direct repercussions on the stability of mountain ecosystems.

Removing moss exposes the soil, disrupts water regulation, and can lead to erosion and landslides. The reduction of vegetation cover decreases the area’s ability to regulate moisture, jeopardizing the water sources that supply the city. The disturbance of orchids and bromeliads interferes with natural processes, affecting biodiversity and soil formation, exacerbating the environmental impact.

Yuber Yesid Cárdenas, the regional director of Bogotá–La Calera at CAR, has repeatedly urged citizens to refrain from using protected species during the holiday celebrations.

Cárdenas stated that the holiday season and family gatherings should not be associated with environmental harm, as these species play a crucial role in recharge areas, and their extraction threatens ecological balance and biodiversity.

These measures seek to ensure that year-end celebrations do not translate into adverse effects on the natural environment. Experts consulted emphasize the importance of preserving these species to guarantee water regulation and soil protection.

The CAR has warned that the extraction and commercialization of moss, orchids, and bromeliads constitute a violation of current environmental regulations.

If responsible parties are identified, actions will be taken to confiscate the material and initiate punitive processes.