Rivers are essential to life on the planet. Free-flowing rivers act as the planet’s arteries, providing ecosystems with critical freshwater, nurturing animal and plant life, recharging fertility in floodplains and providing nutrients to deltas, estuaries and near-shore reefs.
They are also the cornerstones of cultural and spiritual practices for diverse groups around the world. However, dams and other destructive developments are fragmenting rivers and their ecosystems, driving an unprecedented loss of freshwater habitat and biodiversity.
Current legal protections for rivers are often unclear, weak or insufficient, leaving rivers and communities vulnerable. While we’ve stopped many bad projects over the years, even a big win can feel short-lived without permanent protections. In truth, bad projects (and what we call “zombie dams”) have a way of rearing their heads repeatedly, year after year.
But there is another way. In the United States, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act has shown that governments and communities can band together to protect our most precious rivers.
Our Work to Support Permanent Protections for Rivers
That’s why we are working with local communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America to prioritize key rivers for permanent legal protection and restoration. We’re collaborating with legal experts to identify gaps in the law and crafting legislation to vibrant, healthy, free-flowing rivers. We’re developing scientific evidence to justify protections, evaluating the feasibility of permanent legal protections, and working to strengthen and support river protection movements.
Learn More
- Wild Rivers Law: contributions to the ecosystem and local development that urge progress in the protection of rivers in Chile (2020)
- What is the National River Protection Group? (2019)
- “Wild Rivers Law”: the environmentalist proposal that seeks to “preserve and restore” the rivers of Chile (2019)
- Conclusions Meeting of Defensores / as Rivers by Foro Social Panamazonico (2019)
- Free Flowing Rivers, Sustaining Livelihoods, Cultures and Ecosystems (2018)
Additional multimedia:
Latest News
- Why river protection needs to be addressed at this week’s Amazon Summit
By Flávio Montiel, International Rivers – Brazil The Amazon Summit, one of the most important environmental meetings of the year, is taking place this week in Brazil. Representatives from the… - Indigenous leader and river defender, Mariluz Canaquiri Murayari, receives the 2023 Terre de Femmes International Award
The award recognizes women around the world who are working to preserve the planet. The theme this year is wetlands and natural areas at risk. Paris, France, April 11, 2023… - Centering Rights of Rivers and human rights at the UN Water Conference
By Bonnie Barclay, Global Communications Manager for International Rivers International Rivers joins coalition and local partners at the 2023 UN Water Conference this week in New York City. This year’s… - “We are all nature, and we’re here together to build on how to take our world to a side of more harmony”
Day Two of the Cumbre Madre Tierra October 27 2022, Mexico City – The second day of #CumbreMadreTierra explored the rights of the oceans, rivers and other water sources, and…