By Monti Aguirre, Director, Latin America Program
For the Spanish version, click here.
The Biobío River was Chile’s first major river protection campaign, which later helped shape and inform efforts to protect iconic rivers in Patagonia. The lessons learned from the Biobío campaign laid the groundwork for future advocacy, driving the successful movements to safeguard rivers like the Baker and Pascua from similar threats.
The Biobío is a lifeline, a cultural icon, and a symbol of resilience for its communities. For centuries, it has sustained both the land and its people while supporting rich biodiversity. Yet, relentless human activity has degraded the river, threatening the well-being of the ecosystems and communities that depend on it.
The recent Declaration of Rights of the Biobío River launched this week in Concepción was born from collaboration between Indigenous Peoples, scientists, civil organizations, and local authorities, and marks a historic shift in how we view and protect this vital waterway. The Declaration asserts that the river, along with its tributaries and basin, possesses inherent rights that must be recognized and protected. It is not just a document; it is a moral commitment to restore and safeguard the Biobío River.
My connection with the Biobío River began early on in my tenure at International Rivers. At the time, the late Glenn Switkes was working with Grupo de Acción por el Biobío (GABB), one of Chile’s pioneering environmental organizations led by Juan Pablo Orrego, Cristian Opaso, and others, in a high profile campaign to challenge the World Bank-backed Pangue dam.
This fight took place against the backdrop of the legacy of the Pinochet dictatorship, which had privatized Chile’s economy and sold off the country’s water rights (via the Water Code), mineral resources, forests, and fisheries to private interests, unleashing intense environmental degradation.
Within this context, environmental protections were weak, and those that existed were often undermined by the regime’s focus on resource exploitation. Indigenous peoples’ rights were particularly fragile. The Mapuche communities, whose culture and livelihoods were closely tied to the Biobío, faced significant threats. Mapuche efforts to protect their ancestral lands and river were seen as obstacles to development, and their rights were largely ignored, making their fight against dam construction a critical part of their broader struggle for recognition and sovereignty.
The movement to protect the Biobío was about much more than saving a river; it became a battle for environmental, indigenous, and human rights in a system that prioritized profit over people and nature. Defending the river was an act of resistance, challenging the unchecked exploitation driven by the neoliberal model. It also symbolized hope for a future where the environment, and the rights of the people connected to it, would be respected and protected.
Chile has since made significant progress in recognizing environmental rights. The right to live in a healthy environment is enshrined in Article 19 of the Chilean Constitution. Indigenous rights have also seen advancements, although historically these rights have been inconsistently recognized. In 2008, Chile ratified ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, which acknowledges the rights of indigenous communities to their lands, culture, and participation in decisions affecting them, and has since signed onto other human rights and environmental conventions.
However, the legal recognition of rivers as entities with rights remains in its infancy. Inspired by global movements like New Zealand’s recognition of the Whanganui River’s legal personhood, the Biobío Declaration establishes the recognition of the river as a living entity with rights. This revolutionary concept is deeply rooted in the worldviews of indigenous communities like the Mapuche Pewenche and Lafkenche peoples, who have long understood the river as a being with intrinsic value, deserving of respect and care. This challenges the traditional Western view of natural resources, where rivers are often seen merely as commodities to be exploited. Instead, it promotes a relationship based on reciprocity and responsibility.
The Declaration outlines a comprehensive set of rights for the Biobío River, including the right to exist, maintain its natural flow, be free from pollution, and regenerate. These rights are not just abstract ideals; they are practical principles that can guide policy and action. For example, recognizing the river’s right to a sustainable hydrological regime allows for advocating the removal of harmful dams and restoring natural flow patterns. Upholding the river’s right to biodiversity encourages stronger protections against invasive species and habitat destruction.
What makes this Declaration particularly significant is its emphasis on community involvement. The text was opened for public consultation, allowing people from all walks of life to contribute their insights and ensure the Declaration reflects the evolving relationship between the river and its communities. This participatory approach ensures that the Declaration embodies the collective will of the people.
The Biobío River Declaration of Rights also highlights the urgent need for a paradigm shift in how we approach environmental protection, both in Chile and globally. Current legal frameworks often fall short of addressing the complex, interconnected challenges that rivers face. The Declaration calls for moving away from development models that prioritize short-term economic gains over the health of ecosystems and toward a more holistic approach that recognizes the intrinsic value of nature. This shift is necessary not just for the Biobío but for rivers worldwide facing similar threats.
Reflecting on the journey to this Declaration fills me with hope. Despite enduring so much, including proposals for further dams, the Biobío River remains a symbol of resilience and renewal. This Declaration testifies to the power of community—people united by a shared vision for a better future. It reminds us that protecting rivers is about more than safeguarding water and wildlife; it’s about honoring the deep bond between people and nature and ensuring it endures.
The work is far from over. The Declaration marks the beginning of a long-term campaign for the protection and restoration of the Biobío River. It is a call to action for all of us to stand up for the rights of our rivers, to recognize their importance not just as resources but as living beings that sustain us all.
Photo credits: Isadora Soares / International Rivers