Summary
On September 24 in the city of Concepción, Chile, the Declaration of the Rights of the Biobío River was formally launched after exhaustive studies and a a year long consultation process. The Declaration recognizes the inherent rights of the Biobío River to exist, flow, and regenerate, and seeks to safeguard those rights against mounting environmental threats and guarantee it’s preservation and the rights of present and future generations.
The Declaration arose during the Somos Cuenca Festival in November 2023, where riparian communities came together to develop a draft Declaration of Rights through a series of workshops held in Chiguayante, Concepción, and Alto Biobío. Participatory dialogues among the attendees made visible the socio-environmental threats facing the Biobío River and the communities along the entire length of its basin. In February 2024, the text of the Declaration was opened for public consultation, in order to familiarize people with the Declaration and receive comments and suggestions regarding its content.
The Declaration represents a joint and transversal work between many actors, including Indigenous Peoples, scientists, civil society organizations, environmental activists, authorities, and the general public. It is a living tool that will serve as a mechanism for long-term visibility and advocacy for the defense and protection of the river, facilitating and promoting the participation of important local actors.
The Biobío River is the second longest river in Chile and one of the most significant fluvial ecosystems in the country. It is an important biological corridor linking areas from the mountains to the sea. The river is essential for human consumption, food security and sovereignty, as well as in economic development and in the culture of local peoples. The river also holds spiritual significance for Indigenous Peoples in its basin, for whom it is a key symbol of their identity. The Biobío River has historically suffered threats including the construction of hydropower dams, water extraction for irrigation and urbanization, the development of infrastructure projects, water pollution, and aggregate extraction. The river’s health has suffered serious and, in some cases, permanent damage due to these threats, weakening its connection with surrounding communities.