Ecuador court rules pollution violates river rights in country's capital

In a groundbreaking ruling, a court in Ecuador has declared that pollution has infringed upon the rights of the Machángara River, which flows through the capital city of Quito. This decision, hailed as "historic" by activists, is based on a constitutional article in Ecuador that acknowledges the rights of natural entities like rivers. The court's ruling mandates that the government must devise a plan to clean up the Machángara while the appeals process unfolds. The river, originating in the Andes mountains, is heavily polluted by the city's 2.6 million residents who discharge various pollutants and waste into it, leading to severe environmental degradation. The pollution in the Machángara River has reached alarming levels, with inadequate treatment of wastewater and significant amounts of garbage being dumped into it from surrounding areas. The river's oxygen levels are critically low at 2%, posing a significant threat to aquatic life. This ruling is significant not only for its environmental implications but also because it recognizes the rights of natural features to be protected from degradation and pollution, a concept that is rare in many countries but enshrined in Ecuador's legal framework. Activists, including Darío Iza from the group Kitu Kara, who lodged the complaint on behalf of the river, emphasize the importance of this ruling due to the river's central role in the lives of Quito's residents. The decision underscores the urgent need for action to address the pollution of the Machángara River and highlights the broader issue of environmental protection and conservation in Ecuador. As the government grapples with the implications of the court's ruling, efforts to clean up and preserve the river are expected to intensify, signaling a potential shift towards greater environmental accountability and stewardship in the region.