| Porthole 02 Mar 23

THE Ouse River in England may become the first in the country to gain legal rights.

The local council has passed a motion recognising the river’s rights to protection, amid growing concerns over the pollution of the waterway.

A charter on the river’s rights is now being developed, which will be sent to the council to endorse within the next two years.

This is likely to be based on the Universal Declaration of River Rights, which states the waterways should have the right to flow, perform essential functions within the river’s ecosystem, be free from pollution, feed and be fed by sustainable aquifers, and have native biodiversity, as well as the right to regeneration and restoration.