Santander has historically been recognized as a region with abundant water resources. Its moorlands, high-Andean forests, wetlands, and a complex river system have sustained the department’s economic and social development for decades. In the current context, however, ensuring the long-term sustainability of this resource has become a strategic challenge.
According to the assessment by the Santander Visión Prospectiva 2050 project, led by the Industrial University of Santander (UIS), the department faces a series of transformations linked to water and climate risks and ecological degradation—factors that directly impact land management and future development conditions.
These dynamics are already evident in events such as forest fires, fluctuations in water supply, floods, and soil instability in various municipalities, highlighting the importance of strengthening comprehensive planning and management of water resources.
A system in transition
“The challenge is not a lack of water, but the need to preserve the systems that sustain it,” explains biologist Juan Diego Ramírez. From his perspective, ecological degradation involves the combined impact on soil, water, air, and biodiversity—components that function interdependently.
Strategic ecosystems such as páramos, Andean forests, and wetlands perform essential functions in water regulation: they capture, filter, store, and distribute water throughout the territory. “It is a chain that begins in the páramo and extends toward the lowlands. Maintaining that connectivity is fundamental to the sustainability of the resource,” notes Ramírez.
For his part, geologist Edwin Mendoza highlights the historical relationship between water and the development of societies: “Proper management of water resources has been crucial for the sustainability of territories and their productive activities.”
Regional Trends
The assessment reveals increasing pressure on water resources in the department. In recent years, the volume of water allocated under concessions has grown significantly, in line with urban, agricultural, and industrial development.
Compounding this is the transformation of the territory: land overuse currently affects more than half of the department’s area, and processes of vegetation loss have been recorded in various zones. These dynamics affect the ecosystems’ ability to regulate water and respond to climate variations.
Furthermore, recent events associated with high temperatures, flash floods, and flooding have been observed, highlighting the need to strengthen resilience and territorial intelligence.
The Relationship Between Ecosystems and Soil Stability
One of the key aspects identified is the relationship between vegetation cover and land stability. According to Edwin Mendoza, ecosystems play a regulatory role by acting as natural systems for water retention and release.
“Forests help reduce erosion and regulate water flows, which contributes to reducing vulnerability to natural events,” he explains.
However, practices such as deforestation or improper land use can alter these dynamics. In this context, the concept of “exposed soil” becomes relevant, as it increases susceptibility to erosion and sediment transport, affecting both water quality and watershed stability.
A challenge with both social and institutional dimensions
The analysis also shows that a significant portion of the population lives in areas with varying levels of risk, which poses challenges in terms of land-use planning and risk management.
In this regard, updating land-use plans and strengthening institutional capacities are identified as fundamental elements for effective planning.
“Having up-to-date information on the territory is key to guiding decisions that protect communities and optimize land use,” Mendoza notes.
Toward Comprehensive Water Management
Given this situation, the Santander Vision 2050 project highlights the need to move toward more coordinated and participatory models of water governance that involve both institutions and communities.
Among the identified alternatives are the strengthening of sustainable land-use practices, the promotion of agroforestry, the bioeconomy, and responsible tourism, as well as the promotion of a culture of shared responsibility in the management of natural resources.
A prerequisite for future development
Water-related risks, climate risks, and ecological degradation constitute one of the eight structural challenges identified in the project’s assessment. Its cross-cutting nature makes it a fundamental condition for territorial development through 2050.
In this context, sustainable water management is not only an environmental challenge but also a strategic pillar for the department’s competitiveness, quality of life, and sustainability. The diagnostic process thus provides a technical foundation to guide decision-making and strengthen the development of a more balanced and resilient development model for Santander.
