What Cormacarena does

Cormacarena (Corporación para el Desarrollo Sostenible del Área de Manejo Especial La Macarena) is a Colombian regional autonomous environmental corporation created under Law 99 of 1993 and operating under the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. It serves as the exclusive environmental authority for Colombia's Meta department, administering renewable natural resources, environmental permits, water basin management (POMCA plans), wildlife conservation, and ecotourism regulation across municipalities including Villavicencio, La Macarena, Puerto López, Granada, Acacías, Puerto Gaitán, and San Martín de los Llanos. The entity leads the National Conservation Program for the critically endangered Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius) and runs wildlife rescue and rehabilitation operations, including the recent release of a harpy eagle in Mesetas municipality. Current Director General Jhorman Julián Saldaña serves the 2024-2027 term, with his election ratified by the Consejo de Estado in June 2026.

The organization delivers approximately 24 administrative procedures and services ranging from environmental permits (water channel occupation, hunting permits), forestry registration, vehicle disincorporation certification, and environmental investment accreditation to citizen attention via PQRSD (Peticiones, Quejas, Reclamos, Sugerencias, Denuncias). Its technology stack is built on government-standard platforms: a Geoportal hosted on ArcGIS Hub for geospatial data, a BIA (Business Intelligence Analytics) system for institutional decision support, and VIAM for environmental information and biodiversity monitoring. Operations are supported by a headquarters in Villavicencio and three regional offices in La Macarena, Granada, and Puerto López, all integrated with the national gov.co portal and SECOP II for public procurement.

As a public government entity, Cormacarena does not generate commercial revenue. It operates on public budget allocations through the Sistema Nacional Ambiental and collects environmental fees (tasas compensatorias) for services such as wildlife hunting permits and Caño Cristales ecotourism entry fees. Its user base comprises citizens of Meta department requiring permits, private-sector operators in agribusiness, forestry, hydrocarbons, and mining seeking environmental licensing, tourism operators accessing Caño Cristales, and conservation partner institutions including Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Fundación El Cielo, and Bioparque Los Ocarros. The entity also runs the Negocios Verdes program for sustainable business certification and an annual environmental photography contest to drive citizen engagement.

Name

Cormacarena

Legal name

Corporación para el Desarrollo Sostenible del Área de Manejo Especial La Macarena

Website

https://cormacarena.gov.co

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cormacarena is a Colombian regional autonomous environmental authority administering renewable natural resources, environmental permitting, and wildlife conservation across the Meta department under Law 99 of 1993. It delivers 24 administrative procedures via BIA, Geoportal, and VIAM digital platforms, supported by three regional offices and public budget allocations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Regulatory Services

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Non-Operating Establishments (9995)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Policy, Planning & Regulation (BPAIAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Permitting & Impact Assessment (EIA/NEPA) (BPAIAMAK), Licensing & Permitting Authorities (General) (BPAIAOAB), Environmental Protection Agencies & Environmental Health Departments (HLAJAFAA), Forest Certification, Compliance & Chain-of-Custody Support (AFAMAAAH)

Keywords

• Environmental regulatory services
• Natural resource management
• Wildlife conservation programs
• Environmental permitting
• Water basin management

Headquarters

HQ city

Villavicencio

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cormacarena is the regional autonomous environmental authority for the Department of Meta in Colombia, operating under Law 99 of 1993. The corporation issues environmental permits and licenses across 24 distinct procedures (occupancy of water courses, vehicle dismantling certifications, forestry plantations, hunting, environmental investments, hazardous waste handlers), enforces wildlife protection programs, manages water basin planning (POMCA), and provides citizen-facing digital services including PQRDS, online appointments, and the Geoportal, BIA, and VIAM information systems.

Product overview

Cormacarena (Corporación para el Desarrollo Sostenible del Área de Manejo Especial La Macarena) is a Colombian regional environmental authority offering a portfolio of citizen services and digital platforms. The organization provides approximately 24 administrative procedures (trámites) including environmental permits (occupation of water channels, hunting permits), environmental certifications, and forest plantation registration. Additionally, Cormacarena operates digital platforms including the Geoportal for geospatial data, BIA for business intelligence analytics, VIAM for environmental information and biodiversity monitoring, and PIMISYS for debt management. The institution also runs the Negocios Verdes program for sustainable business certification and a comprehensive PQRDS citizen attention system for petitions, complaints, and claims. The services are delivered through its main office in Villavicencio and three regional offices (Javier Parra/Macarena, Río Ariari/Granada, and Río Meta/Puerto López).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Permiso de ocupación de cauces, playas y lechos (Occupancy Permit for Water Courses, Beaches, and Beds) Environmental permit authorizing regulated occupancy of water courses, river beaches, and beds in the Department of Meta, issued to companies and individuals requiring use of these natural resources.
• Certificación ambiental para la desintegración vehicular (Environmental Certification for Vehicle Dismantling) Environmental certification issued to individuals and vehicle dismantlers confirming compliance with environmental requirements for vehicle scrapping and dismantling operations.
• Registro de plantaciones forestales protectoras (Registration of Protective Forest Plantations) Registration service for protective forest plantations, enabling landowners and forestry operators to formally register plantations for environmental protection purposes in the Department of Meta.
• Permiso de caza (Hunting Permit) Regulated hunting permit issued to individuals, with associated compensation fees (tasa compensatoria) determined by species and applicable resolutions, authorizing controlled hunting activities in Meta.
• Acreditación de inversiones ambientales (Environmental Investment Accreditation) Accreditation service for environmental investments made by companies, allowing regulated entities to certify compliance with mandatory environmental investment obligations under Colombian law.
• Actualización del listado de empresas gestoras de ACU (Update of Hazardous Waste Management Companies List) Update service for the registry of hazardous waste management companies operating in the Department of Meta, enabling authorized waste handlers to maintain their official registration.
• PQRDS - Petitions, Complaints, Claims, Suggestions, and Denunciations Digital citizen services platform enabling residents of Meta to submit and track petitions, complaints, claims, suggestions, and denunciations related to environmental matters managed by Cormacarena.
• Geoportal Cormacarena ArcGIS-based geospatial platform providing access to territorial and environmental data layers for the Department of Meta, available to citizens, researchers, and regulated entities.
• BIA (Business Intelligence Analytics) Business intelligence and analytics platform that consolidates environmental data to support institutional decision-making, public reporting, and transparency in environmental management.
• VIAM (Environmental Information System) Environmental information system supporting biodiversity monitoring, environmental data collection, and reporting functions within Cormacarena's jurisdictional mandate.
• Negocios Verdes (Green Businesses Program) Institutional program that identifies, promotes, and certifies sustainable green businesses operating in the Department of Meta, supporting environmentally responsible production and commercial activities.
• PIMISYS (Payment and Debt Management System) Online payment and debt management platform enabling users to pay environmental fees, compensation rates, and other regulatory charges owed to Cormacarena, including Caño Cristales tourism entry fees.
• Agendamiento de citas (Appointment Scheduling) Online appointment scheduling portal allowing users to book in-person consultations and service appointments at Cormacarena offices for environmental procedures.
• POMCA - Plan de Ordenamiento y Manejo de Cuencas Hidrográficas (Water Basin Management Plans) Water basin ordering and management plans developed and administered for the major hydrographic basins in the Department of Meta, establishing regulatory frameworks for water resource use and conservation.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.

• Fundación El CielomajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Environmental foundation that partnered with Cormacarena and the Meta governor's office in the emergency feeding program for 177 crocodiles after prolonged fasting. Contributed to acquiring over 700 kg of chicken food for the caimans at Parque Agroecológico Merecure.
• Bioparque Los OcarrosmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Zoological park that served as an intermediate rehabilitation center for an injured harpy eagle rescued in Mesetas before its transfer to a specialized center in Bogotá and eventual release.
• Gobernación del Meta (Meta Department Government)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Department-level government that co-articulated with Cormacarena the feeding plan for 177 crocodiles and participates in broader environmental initiatives for the department.
• Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible (Ministry of Environment)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997National ministry that formulates and oversees environmental policy in Colombia. Cormacarena participates in national conservation programs coordinated by the ministry, including the National Program for the Conservation of the Orinoco crocodile. The ministry sets overarching policy while Cormacarena implements regional environmental management.
• Universidad Nacional de Colombia (National University of Colombia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1997Through its Tropical Biology Station Roberto Franco, UN is the primary custodian of the National Conservation Program for Orinoco crocodile, responsible for breeding, maintenance, monitoring and animal welfare. UN also houses crocodiles at Universidad de los Llanos, sede Barcelona. Cormacarena provides regulatory oversight and coordinates reintroduction efforts.
• IDEAM (Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales)supportingTechnology or IntegrationNational environmental research institute providing meteorological, hydrological and environmental data. IDEAM supplies technical information supporting Cormacarena's environmental monitoring and management functions.
• Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von HumboldtsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research institute for biological resources. Participates in the National Program for Conservation of the Orinoco crocodile alongside the Ministry of Environment and Universidad Nacional.
• SINCHI (Instituto de Investigación Ambiental de la Amazonía)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmazon research institute providing environmental research and data supporting sustainable development in the region under Cormacarena's jurisdiction.
• Autoridad Nacional de Licencias Ambientales (ANLA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational authority for environmental licensing. ANLA handles national-level environmental licenses while Cormacarena manages regional environmental permits within its jurisdiction.
• SGS (Sociedad General de Servicios S.A.)supportingOthersInternational inspection, verification and testing company whose logo appears on Cormacarena's website as a certified client/compliance partner, indicating adherence to international standards.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CAR - Corporación Autónoma Regional de Cundinamarca: Another Colombian CAR (Corporación Autónoma Regional) operating under the same Law 99 of 1993 framework, with identical environmental regulatory, permitting, and conservation functions across Cundinamarca. Directly comparable governance model, mandate, and revenue structure.
• Corpourabá - Corporación para el Desarrollo Sostenible del Urabá: Colombian CAR serving the Urabá region with parallel sustainable development and environmental authority functions. Operates the same legal model (Law 99 of 1993) as Cormacarena with comparable permitting and conservation activities.
• CVS - Corporación Autónoma Regional de los Valles del Sinú y del San Jorge: Another Colombian regional autonomous corporation with environmental regulatory and conservation responsibilities, structurally identical to Cormacarena under the SINA framework.
• Corpamag - Corporación Autónoma Regional del Magdalena: Another Colombian CAR with mandate over the Magdalena department, structurally and functionally similar to Cormacarena under the same Law 99 of 1993 framework.
• Corantioquia - Corporación Autónoma Regional del Centro de Antioquia: Colombian regional autonomous corporation with the same legal mandate as Cormacarena, responsible for environmental management, permitting, and watershed planning in Antioquia. Comparable institutional structure and service portfolio.

Emerging players

• WWF Colombia: International conservation NGO operating in Colombia's Llanos and Amazon regions with comparable biodiversity programs (jaguars, Orinoco wildlife). A non-government peer operating in the same conservation thematic space.

Broad incumbents

• Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible: Colombia's national ministry that sets environmental policy and oversees regional CARs including Cormacarena. Top-of-pyramid government entity in the same environmental governance space.
• Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia: National agency managing Colombia's protected natural areas, with overlapping conservation and ecotourism regulation roles. Cormacarena coordinates with Parques Nacionales on shared jurisdictions like the Sierra de la Macarena.
• ANLA - Autoridad Nacional de Licencias Ambientales: Colombia's national environmental licensing authority that handles project-level environmental licenses while regional CARs like Cormacarena manage regional permits. Operates one tier above Cormacarena in the same regulatory hierarchy.

Others

• IDEAM - Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales: National environmental research institute that provides meteorological, hydrological and environmental data to regional authorities like Cormacarena. A technical support partner rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cormacarena
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCdNQHFaZK1XnhqF82LGgQPg
• Facebookfacebook.com/CORMACARENA.CDS
• Instagraminstagram.com/cormacarena
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cormacarena

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cormacarena