By Govind Tekale
Photo Source- Google
More than 35 countries, including Ecuador and Brazil, now recognize "Rights of Nature," giving ecosystems legal rights to exist and be restored after damage.
Legal recognition of ecosystems is increasing, thanks to efforts since 1972, when a seminal article highlighted the absence of nature's rights.
The Rights of Nature allow ecosystems and species to have legal protections similar to those of people and businesses, shifting from an anthropocentric to an ecocentric paradigm.
Ecuador was the first country to recognize nature's rights in its 2008 Constitution, leading to numerous court cases enforcing these rights.
Bolivia's 2012 "Framework Law on Mother Earth" emphasizes living in harmony with nature, recognizing its intrinsic value.
Panama enacted a 2023 law granting sea turtles the right to live in a pollution-free environment, reflecting a broader trend in Latin America.
The Kukama indigenous people in Peru secured legal rights for the Marañón River, acknowledging its cultural and ecological importance.
The State of Mexico, along with other regions, recognized nature's rights in 2023, showing a growing legal trend.
Brazil's Linhares municipality granted legal rights to the waves at the Doce River's mouth, emphasizing their ecological and recreational importance.