Some observations done during the execution of the environmental diagnostic of the basins of Sabana de Torres, Santander, are presented. This zone whose antropic intervention involves from the exploitation of the quinine in XIX century to the current petroleum exploitation, presents as main threats the erosion generalized with the consequent processes of colmatation of the swamps and the alluvial channels, periods of more than 120 days without rainfall, the inadequate management of the petroleum infrastructure that has given as a result the hydrocarbons in the drainage network, the absence of the management plans in the mining industry of the gold and the siliceous sand, reduction of human population, indiscriminate animal hunting and an advanced process of sabanization associated with the deforestation.