The Marginal de la Selva, a $1 billion dollar highway project that would connect Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador without having to enter the Andes mountains, could mean deforestation and industrial development in regions important for indigenous groups, and threaten biodiversity. The unfinished section that would complete the project cuts through a natural corridor between two national parks, which both contain exceptionally high levels of biodiversity. Forest loss in the sensitive ecological area has shot up in anticipation of the highway and as illegal armed groups promote deforestation in the region. Critics say institutions lack territorial control in the area and are unable to coordinate effectively to ensure environmental laws are enforced. Deforestation is expanding into Serrania de la Macarena National Park and there are new illegal roads being built toward Chiribiquete, where armed groups are increasing coca cultivation pressure in the region. For the full story see https://news.mongabay.com/2017/06/new-highway-brings-deforestation-to-t…