Colombia’s Dynamic Rivers: Integrated Interpretations and the Rights of Nature

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The Future of Water

Feature

Colombia’s Dynamic Rivers: Integrated Interpretations and the Rights of Nature by Daniel Henryk Rasolt

 Stretch of the Magdalena River between El Quimbo and Betania Dams. Photo by D.H. Rasolt.

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olombia is a “megadiverse” country, in culture, ecosystems and biodiversity, and all are supported by an extremely rich network of rivers and watersheds. Several powerful river basins cut through and delineate the borders of the country. The headwaters for hundreds of rivers are found in the high-altitude glaciers1 , lakes, paramos and cloud forests of the Andes and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Mountain Ranges, while many others have their sources within the Choco and Amazon tropical lowland forests. These rivers flow through a vast range of ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots on their way to Colombia’s Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, as well as towards the massive Amazon River Basin. Transboundary rivers, such as the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers, also flow through the awe-inspiring tropical forests of Southeastern Colombia. Along the impressive network of Colombian waterways are 87 recognized Indigenous ethnic groups, with distinct worldviews and interpretations of the origins, importance and damage being done to their sacred rivers.

While there exists a tremendous diversity in beliefs, language, ecosystems, and modern circumstances between Indigenous ethnic groups in Colombia – and of course among traditional cultures around the world – they share a common belief that rivers are vital sources of life, balance and connectivity. To many Indigenous Peoples, rivers, from their sources to their outlets, are Mother Earth’s lifeblood. To obstruct, contaminate, deviate, overfish, deforest and otherwise degrade this life-giving and sustaining network is a natural crime. I work with Indigenous ethnic groups and  www.thesolutionsjournal.com  |  Fall 2020  | Solutions |  49


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