Mercury threatens over 160 communities in Bolivia’s Beni River basin
Mongabay found that 39 communities in Bolivia are suffering from mercury poisoning and that 125 more face a similar risk.
Bolivia's Beni River basin is posing a significant threat to over 160 communities in the region. The mercury contamination in the river has become a major concern for the local inhabitants, who have been relying on the river for their sustenance. Gilberto Vaca Muiba, a resident of the Tacana, Leco, and Ese Ejja Indigenous communities, is one of the many affected.
He spends his days fishing in the Beni River, unaware of the potential health risks posed by the mercury-laden fish. Despite the contamination, the fish remains a staple in their diet due to its affordability. The Beni River, once a source of subsistence, has now become a symbol of the communities' struggles against environmental degradation.
Written by urgent.news from Mongabay's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
