A Colombian court ruled in favor of Indigenous people who have suffered due to mercury contamination tied to gold mining.
As Mongabay reported, the Constitutional Court issued an order for the protection of 30 Indigenous communities in the Amazon affected by unsafe mercury exposure.
The gold mining-related contamination impacted key rivers and fish that these communities consume. Testing showed mercury levels were up to 17 times higher than the safe limits.
Illegal mining has been rampant in Colombia, and many mining operations separate gold from ore using mercury, which then seeps into the natural environment. These mining activities have been going on since 1989, threatening the communities' health, food security, and cultural identity.
The court's ruling suspended new gold mining licenses and ordered a remediation plan with greater oversight of the local mining industry. Indigenous participation and biannual hearings will now be required as part of the court-mandated monitoring.
Antonio Matapí, a leader from one of the affected territories, said that this court decision is "a road we've paved that other Indigenous governments can also use."
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"The sentence is a legal tool to protect life and our ancestral knowledge," he added.
This news from the Amazonian region is a positive step in the right direction of respecting Indigenous communities' rights and protecting natural resources.
There's a strong correlation between protecting Indigenous lands and preserving biodiversity. Amazonian restoration efforts are crucial in reducing deforestation, supporting the many wildlife species that live there, and respecting the traditional way of life of native people.
Even from afar, you can help prevent heavy metal pollution and support the rights and needs of Indigenous groups. By voting for pro-climate candidates, you can help influence policy changes where you live and beyond.
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Definitely 👍 You can also support reforestation and pollution cleanup efforts by volunteering your time or donating to organizations working in places you care about.
"We invite all society and the government to recognize that as Indigenous peoples we have the capacity to coordinate and contribute to the country," one Indigenous leader in the Colombian Amazon said. "This is the moment to build global politics from dialogue and agreement."
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