Indigenous community guards Colombia’s Green Lake from tourists
Laguna Verde, a sacred lake nestled in a volcano, is now accessible only to those who respect its spiritual significance.
Indigenous guards from the Pastos ethnic group perform a ritual at Laguna Verde. Photo: AFPIn the crater of a semi-dormant volcano in southwest Colombia lies a sacred lake of beautiful green. Climbing the Azufral volcano is not for the faint-hearted.
It’s also not for the uninvited. Only those who receive the nod from the governor of the local Indigenous Pastos community have permission to pass.
“The spirits of the lake don’t like to be disturbed. We have to ask their permission,” said Jorge Arevalo, a member of the lake’s Indigenous guard.
The Laguna Verde (Green Lake) was one of Colombia’s best-kept secrets for a long time. But once the secret was exposed, the lake was overrun with tourists.
In 2017, the Pastos, who own the land, closed the lake and surrounding reserve to save it. Now, seven years later, the reserve is clean again.