Water extraction in Bolivia
Mother Earth is tired
October 28 2022
3 minutes
Until a few years ago, Valerio Rojas made a living from fishing in Lake Poopó in the Bolivian highlands. At the time, the second largest lake in the country, it has now become a desert. The cause: intensive agriculture and climate change. 'Our mother earth is tired'. That is what it says in Aymara, Rojas' native language.
Domino effect
Water is a precious commodity in the Andes. Water extraction is very complex due to the rapid change of ecosystems. In the high mountains, water seeps into the ground to feed lower-lying springs and rivers. If these springs and rivers dry up, entire communities without water to sit for agriculture and therefore also without food and drinking water. They should not expect help. Being insured does not automatically mean compensation. The government only intervenes in exceptional circumstances.
Bolivia is one of those countries where the water supply is under pressure. Intensive agriculture is a necessity to feed the growing population. But the mining consumes a huge amount of water, destroys and pollutes existing water systems. All this together with climate change leads to longer periods of droughtAs in Belgium, the drought in Bolivia is caused by a chain of effects that reinforce each other.
For a long time we only invested in water collection for the construction of irrigation systems, without worrying about where the water actually comes from.
In recent years we have been committed to legislation to protect these water catchment areas.
Traditional techniques forgotten for too long
The water extraction techniques that traditional cultures in this region have been forgotten for too long. The urgent search now is for a good mix of techniques to conserve water and legislation to curb harmful activities.
That is what Agrecol Andes, partner of 11.11.11-member organization Solidagro in the south of Cochabamba, does. They provide raising awareness of local communities with workshops, publications, audiovisual material and via social media. In addition, they try to strengthen social organizations so that they can work together with citizen committees can put pressure on local authorities.
No water, no life
In several municipalities they succeeded in this way better protection of water catchment areas In addition, local communities, NGOs and technicians are working together to implement techniques that improve water harvesting.
'No water, no life', is a slogan that is very common here,” says German Jarro, director of Agrecol Andes.
“For a long time we only invested in collecting water for the construction of irrigation systems, without worrying about where the water actually comes from.
In recent years we have been working on legislation to protect these areas. At the same time we are implementing concrete actions with the villages of this dry region. We fence the areas and protect it from grazing cattle and deforestation. Only in this way we ensure water for the future, for irrigation, drinking water and livestock".
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Climate change is causing prolonged periods of drought in Bolivia, leaving entire communities without food and drinking water.
Stop the injustice together with us.
Copyright cover photo: © BelgaImage - Bert Verhoeff
