The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta has experienced notable glacial retreat in recent decades. This phenomenon has been denounced by indigenous communities, especially the Arhuaca, who warn about the imminent total melting of their highest peaks: Colón and Bolívar, both with an approximate altitude of (meters above sea level) and considered the highest in Colombia.[29].
According to the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam), between 1850 and 2010 the Sierra lost about 90% of its glacial coverage, going from an area of 82 km² to only 7.5 km². This process has been attributed mainly to climate change, the consequences of which are manifested in the fragmentation of glaciers and in an annual rate of glacier loss estimated between 3% and 5%, similar to what occurs in other snow-capped mountains in the country, such as Cocuy, Ruiz, Tolima and Huila.[29].
The progressive melting of the Sierra has had direct impacts on important water sources in the region. Rivers such as the Aracataca and the Guatapurí, which historically originate from the melting of the high mountains, supply the aqueducts of municipalities such as Aracataca and the city of Valledupar, respectively. The decrease in snow threatens the stability of these flows, which is why the Ideam has recommended the carrying out of hydroglaciological studies that allow accurately measuring the effects of glacial retreat on the hydrographic basins.[29].
The situation has also led to social tensions. Inhabitants of towns such as San Porque, Sanpuecito and Buenos Aires have staged protests in response to constant water rationing, accentuated by both the loss of natural sources and structural failures in aqueduct systems. The growing demand for the resource by the agroindustrial sector has further aggravated the crisis.[29].
From the indigenous worldview, this environmental imbalance is interpreted as a result of development models foreign to their culture, which alter the natural cycles of the territory. The Kogui, Wiwa, Kankuama and Arhuaca communities consider that interventions such as the construction of dams, the invasion of sacred sites, and the loss of vegetation cover have seriously affected the harmony of the Sierra. For them, the snowy mountains represent the "head" of Mother Earth and the moors, her "heart".[29].
Representatives of the Arhuaco community have been especially active in denouncing the accelerated retreat of glaciers in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. During recent expeditions to the high areas of the Colón and Bolívar peaks, indigenous leaders have observed a notable reduction in snow coverage, evidencing the transformation of former snowy peaks into extensive rocky areas.[29].
From the perspective of this community, the development model applied in the region has contributed significantly to environmental imbalance. In response, they propose a conservation strategy focused on restoring at least 70% of vegetation cover and protecting watersheds. They also raise the need to respect the natural cycles of the ecosystem and expand indigenous collective territories as an environmental safeguard mechanism.[29].
Other proposals include the voluntary relocation of human settlements located in areas of high ecological fragility, opposition to new infrastructure projects that alter the natural balance of the territory, and a critical evaluation of extractive activities, such as mining and coal transportation, which have been highlighted for their negative environmental impact on the Sierra.[29].
If the current trend continues, studies indicate that the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta could completely lose its glacial coverage before 2030, becoming another of the Colombian mountain ranges without perpetual snow.[29].
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is home to one of the last six active glaciers in Colombia, with an estimated surface area of 5.3 km². This glacier mass, located in the departments of La Guajira, Magdalena and Cesar, is an integral part of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta national natural park, one of the country's key strategies for the protection of these high mountain ecosystems.[30].
In this region, ice coverage has been the subject of continuous monitoring by the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (Ideam), given its vulnerability to climate change. In addition to its ecological function as a water regulator, the Sierra stands out for its particular biodiversity, with species adapted to extreme conditions and a characteristic flora such as frailejones.[30].
Each Colombian glacier presents different responses to global warming; However, the Sierra Nevada shares a trend of accelerated loss with other glacial systems in the country. Ideam estimates that, if the current rate of reduction continues, this glacier could disappear completely before 2030.[30].
From the institutional level, the Colombian State has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of glaciers through conservation programs, research, ecological restoration, environmental education and climate monitoring. These actions are developed in an articulated manner by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Ideam and National Natural Parks of Colombia, especially after the declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glacier Conservation and March 21 as World Glacier Day, initiatives promoted by the General Assembly of the United Nations.[30].
The Sierra Nevada, in addition to its environmental importance, constitutes a culturally sacred territory, inhabited by indigenous communities that recognize spiritual, ancestral and ecological values in these peaks, closely linked to their identity and vision of the territory.[30].
According to IDEAM estimates in 2023, around 0.5 km² (11% of its glacier coverage) is in an ablation zone if an Altitudinal Balance Line (ELA) is considered at (meters above sea level). This value is reduced to 0.06 km² (1.2%) if a lower ELA of is used, indicating a relatively lower exposure to melt compared to other glaciers in the country.[26].