River guardians in Colombia’s Chocó region are fighting to protect the Atrato River from deforestation and pollution caused by illegal gold mining, despite threats from armed groups and a lack of government support.
Steven Grattan reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Illegal gold mining in Colombia’s Chocó region has destroyed the Atrato River’s ecosystem, deforesting the land and polluting the water with mercury.
- River guardians, unpaid volunteers, work to protect the river and raise awareness despite threats from criminal groups controlling the mining.
- Colombia’s government has been criticized for failing to enforce protections, despite the 2016 ruling granting the Atrato River legal personhood.
Key quote:
“We must continue to make the process visible. It’s the only way for them (armed groups) to feel that we too are in the territory. So that stopped me and made me carry on ... And here I am.”
— Bernardino Mosquera, river guardian
Why this matters:
The destruction of the Atrato River highlights the larger environmental impact of illegal mining in Colombia and its human costs. The toxic mercury used contaminates water sources, affecting local communities and their health.
