In the small riverside community of PAIMADO, Colombia, the once lush biodiversity has been replaced by sediment and pebbles due to illegal gold mining activities. The Atrato River, declared to have rights equivalent to a human in 2016, is now facing severe degradation from illegal mining operations.
Armed groups, including the Gulf Clan, control the region, turning towns like PAIMADO into illegal mining hubs. The use of heavy machinery to extract gold has led to deforestation, pollution of water sources with mercury, and destruction of the local economy.
Despite efforts by river guardians like Bernardino Mosquera and Maryuri Mosquera to protect the Atrato River, lack of support from institutions and threats from armed groups have made their task increasingly challenging. The guardians face risks, including violence and death threats, for speaking out against the environmental devastation.
The Atrato River, vital for water, food, and transport for local Afro-Colombian communities, is now contaminated with mercury and arsenic from mining activities. Fish in the river are highly contaminated, posing health risks to humans who rely on them for sustenance.
The Colombian government has been criticized for failing to protect the river despite its legal status. Efforts are being made to coordinate with the Ministry of Defense to safeguard the ecosystem and restore the Atrato River basin.
As illegal gold mining continues to thrive in the region, the guardians remain determined to raise awareness and fight for the preservation of the Atrato River, a lifeline for the communities that depend on it.
