Percepción comunitaria sobre el impacto de pequeñas centrales hidroeléctricas en el turismo de naturaleza: estudio de caso en Caquetá, Amazonia Colombiana

The study assesses the community's perception of the potential impact of small hydropower plants on nature tourism in Itarca, Norcasia, and Santuario, Caquetá, in the Colombian Amazon. Two hundred residents were surveyed and data were analyzed using contingency tables and principal component analysis (PCA). The results reveal concerns about negative impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and the nature tourism economy, especially downstream the proposed project. Although there are no hydropower plants in the Caquetá rivers, it is crucial to carry out rigorous environmental assessments and adopt preventive measures. Community participation is essential for sustainable development, as well as the ratification of international treaties such as the Escazú Agreement and compliance with ruling STC4360 of 2018 to improve transparency in these projects.