Los derechos de la naturaleza del río Gala: un caso de contaminación minera en la parroquia Shumiral del cantón Camilo Ponce Enríquez

Abstract

In Shumiral, county of Camilo Ponce Enriquez canton, the environmental pollution has recently developed into a daily threat for its population. Nowadays, its rivers (formerly a source of natural resources) are seriously contaminated, which poses a risk to one of the most essential rights of the Shumiral neighbors: the access to safe water. The contamination of the Gala river is especially alarming because it is the last remaining source of safe water for the inhabitants of its riverside; despite the fact that many regulations and jurisprudence recognize the river rights as part of nature. This dissertation looks forward to providing a deep comprehension of the current status of Gala river in terms of the causes and omissions leading to its serious pollution. Moreover, this work aims to propose alternatives that allow us to protect both the environment and communities depending on the Gala river for their daily lives.