11248 Mechanisms for the protection of emblematic free flowing rivers in patagonia

The recent meeting of COP-15 in Montreal established the commitment to move towards the protection of 30% of the continental waters by 2030. With more than 21% of land and 42% of marine area protected, Chile is a world leader in protection. However, less than 1% of its freshwater ecosystems have any type of protection. In Chilean Patagonia, almost all rivers continue to flow freely and without major interventions, a privileged situation on a global level.
Considering that Chile does not have a permanent protection mechanism for its rivers, a group of regional and local authorities, together with the community, have initiated a campaign to advance toward the effective protection of iconic rivers, aiming to protect them while their waters are still pristine and suitable for different activities, such as tourism, irrigation for local agriculture, recreational fishing, leisure and recreational spaces, scenic beauty, and cultural and identity activities benefitting local communities.
This talk will present the innovative process for the protection of the emblematic rivers of Chilean Patagonia, which were surveyed by the members of their communities and local authorities, in order to maintain and conserve their diverse uses, values, and functions for the community.