Lake Titicaca in Peru is declared as a subject of law

The ordinance must be promulgated within 120 days by means of a regulation.

This initiative was promoted by the Aymara and Quechua women Organization together with the defense of water and Lake Titicaca. Photo: Peru Info/File.

May 4, 2025 time: 02:21

The Regional Council of Puno, Peru, recognized Lake Titicaca as a subject of law Through an ordinance that encourages the inclusion of indigenous communities in the management of this water basin, the most important in terms of fresh water in South America.

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This initiative was initially promoted by the organization of Aymara and Quechuas women joined by the defense of water and the Lake Titicacawho held several meetings with the authorities to convey “the relevance of Lake Titicaca and the need to value and protect it,” said Soraya Poma Cotrado, president of the organization.

Through this decree of the regional government of Puno, The work of the original communities and local populations is recognized as protectors and spokesmen of Lake Titicacaensuring a fair and inclusive representation with a gender perspective.

«The historical debt that Latin American states have, including Peru, with their native peoples lies in the need to recognize and value their ancestral knowledge. The native peoples maintain a spiritual and cultural connection with Pachamama and with water sources, ”said Julio César Mejía Tapia, director of the Institute of Law, Social and environmental Participation in Puno.

After an arduous fighting process, on April 24 of this year, the Regional Council approved The Ordinance, which must be promulgated within 120 days by means of a regulation that defines and guarantees the exercise of recognized rights.

All these environmental and community statements and actions occur after Studies conducted by the National Water Authority will reveal that several tributaries that lead to the Titicaca have high levels of pollutionas is the case of the Torocha River, which later joins the Coata River.

This situation has led the inhabitants who grow food close to the lake, such as Pope, onion and wheat, to notice Changes in the taste of their products and even cases of sick people with heavy metals in the blood have been reported.