Introduction

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta population includes some 32 000 members of the Kogi, Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kankuamo indigenous groups, descendants of the Tayronas and preservers of their ancient tradition. There are also approximately 150 000 peasants, and 1.5 million urban dwellers in the lowlands. Of these, the only stable populations are the indigenous groups and although each group has its own language, they all share a similar system of beliefs. Since pre-Hispanic times, the indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada have possessed a worldview, social organisation and living pattern which revolves around the management and conservation of this unique environment, the ‘heart of the world’ (Reichel-Dolmatoff, 1950, pp. 1–32).

Indigenous people believe that between man and nature there is an equilibrium, which can easily be disturbed by irresponsible human actions. This equilibrium not only refers to the management of resources, but also to the spiritual and moral balance of the individual and the group that is the basic element of peace (Arhem, 1990, pp. 105–22).

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Colombia presents perhaps the best opportunity and the greatest challenge for the conservation of biological and cultural diversity in our hemisphere. This South American country is recognised as the nation with the greatest biological wealth per square mile and the largest number of languages. Amidst this wealth lies a national treasure: the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.