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Personhood

This page identifies initiatives that explicitly recognizes any non-human element of Nature (e.g., ecosystems, plant species, animal species) as possessing legal personhood status. In doing so, these initiatives treat Nature like any other other legal person, like corporations, as opposed to recognizing unique rights of nature. Note that all initiatives included in the Personhood category are also included in the Rights of Nature category, but not all rights of nature initiatives are legal personhood initiatives.

Yucatan Mexico case lawsuit seeking recognition of the Ring of Cenotes as subjects of law with rights

Mexico
Submitted in 2023
In 2023 the Mayan community of Homún, Yucatán, Mexico filed a lawsuit in federal court for recognition of the Ring of Cenotes as subjects of law with rightsRead More →

Kerala High Court of India case seeking legal personhood for Bharathapuzha river

India
Submitted in 2022
In 2022, a petition was filed in the Kerala High Court of India seeking to declare the Bharathapuzha river as a 'legal entity' with a right to flow and liveRead More →

Chile habeas corpus petition seeking recognition of legal personhood of the orangutan Sandai

Chile
Stayed in 2022
The first habeas corpus petition filed in Chile seeking the recognition of legal personhood for 28 year old orangutan named SandaiRead More →

Tohono O’odham Legislative Council Resolution affirming personhood of Ha:sañ (Saguaros cacti)

United States of America
Approved in 2021
Resolution from Tohono O'odham Legislative Council acknowledges legal personhood and affirms Ha:san (saguaros cacti) as an O’odham person, kin, and sacred plantRead More →

Kichwa peoples of Sarayaku Proposal “Kawsak Sacha – Living Forest” presented at IUCN

International
Submitted in 2018
Kawsak Sacha (Living Forest) proposal to uphold the rights of Nature and recognize entities of the Living Forest as persons, not objectsRead More →

Kichwa peoples of Sarayaku Declaration Kawsak Sacha (Living Forest) recognizing the territory of Sarayaku as alive and a subject of rights

Ecuador
Approved in 2018
Kawsak Sacha (Living Forest) Declaration describes the ecosystem as a living being with consciousness similar to that of human beings and a subject of rights Read More →

Madras High Court ruling recognizing legal personhood to “Mother Nature”

India
Approved in 2022
The Madras High Court ruled that “Mother Nature” has the same legal status as a human being, including “all corresponding rights, duties and liabilities".Read More →

Canada Act giving legal capacity to the St. Lawrence River

Canada
Submitted in 2022
The bill would give the St. Lawrence River the capacity of a natural person and cites a need to protect the environment and preserve it for future generations.Read More →
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