Summary
In 2020, the First Civil Court of Sogamoso, Boyacá, Colombia decided to declare Lake Tota and its watershed as “subject to the rights of protection, conservation, maintenance and restoration” by the Colombian State. An amparo proceeding was filed by public prosecutors in environmental matters showing the degradation of the ecosystem of Lake Tota mainly due to the high presence of lead. The decision also protects the fundamental rights to life, health, water and healthy environment of the inhabitants of the municipalities of Sogamoso, Nobsa, Isa, Aquitania, Tota, Firevitoba and Cuitiva.
Suggested Citation:
Kauffman, Craig, Catherine Haas, Alex Putzer, Shrishtee Bajpai, Kelsey Leonard, Elizabeth Macpherson, Pamela Martin, Alessandro Pelizzon & Linda Sheehan. Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. V2. 2026. Distributed by the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. https://ecojurisprudence.org/initiatives/lago-de-tota-rights-of-nature-case/.
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