Rivers in the Media
Bolivia enacts law to protect Amazon pink dolphins
Bolivian President Evo Morales has enacted a law aimed at protecting a unique species of dolphins that live in the country's Amazon rivers.
The new legislation bans fishing freshwater pink dolphins and declares the species a national treasure.
At a ceremony along the shores of the Ibare river, President Morales called on the armed forces to protect the habitats of the pink dolphins
The species is threatened by erosion, pollution and logging in the Amazon.
The Bolivian pink dolphin, whose scientific name is Inia boliviensis, is similar to mammals found in neighbouring Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela.
Male Bolivian freshwater pink dolphins can weigh up to 200kg (440 pounds).
An appendix to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (Cites) says the species is vulnerable because of overfishing in the Amazon basin.
But it says the main threat is the contamination of rivers in the region by mercury, used in illegal gold mining operations.
China's famous Yangtze River turns red
China's famed waterway, the Yangtze River, has left residents of the south-western city of Chongqing stunned after it turned a bright shade of red.
Nobody has determined the cause of the colour change but the mystery did not stop residents from taking samples and getting a closer look late last week.
Local fisherman also refused to let the transformation get in their way, continuing their work as usual as though nothing had happened.
Early predictions from scientists suggest the red colouring may have been a result of pollution.
SEQ Catchments receives Australian Government NRM award
SEQ Catchments has taken out the Australian Government Natural Resource Management (NRM) Award at the 2011 Queensland Landcare Awards for its work with the Landcare community in delivering the South East Queensland NRM Plan 2009-2031.
The award also acknowledged SEQ Catchments’ support for Landcare across the South East Queensland region.
SEQ Catchments Northern Community Partnerships Manager Susie Chapman was also recognised with Australian Government Local Landcare Facilitator / Coordinator Award for her work in supporting Landcare, catchment and community groups across the Sunshine Coast region.
SEQ Catchments CEO Simon Warner said meeting the targets outlined in the SEQ NRM Plan depended upon partnerships with Landcare, community groups and individual landholders to carry out projects at the grassroots local level.
“Landholders play a fundamental role in protecting and sustaining the unique South East Queensland lifestyle, as the majority of the natural resources that are the focus of SEQ NRM Plan targets are on private land,” he said.
“That’s why SEQ Catchments focuses its efforts with local groups and landholders on education and property planning programs to ensure that improvements at the property level help achieve landscape level targets in the SEQ NRM Plan.
SEQ Catchments, with the support of Landcare groups and other partners, has already delivered some significant outcomes for South East Queensland’s environment with targets expected to be delivered on schedule or ahead of schedule by 2014.
SEQ Catchments undertook extensive public consultation over a four year period to ensure widespread community support for the SEQ NRM Plan and its delivery targets over the next five years.
“South East Queensland is now one of the few places in Australia where the concept of regional planning has attracted legislative support and recognition in the wider community,” Mr Warner said.
SA Premier launches river run to campaign for the Murray
he South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill, has continued his Fight for the Murray campaign with a week-long “River Run” from the State’s border to the Murray Mouth.
The campaign team is travelling the 640 kilometre length of the South Australian reaches of the River in a water quality testing vessel, engaging with river communities and encouraging people to join the fight for a healthy river.
Premier Jay Weatherill officially launched the River Run in Loxton and the journey began at Border Cliffs upstream of Renmark on Saturday, and will end in Goolwa on Sunday 9 September.
Mr Weatherill said the River Run would give people living on the river the opportunity to tell their stories about the impacts of decades of over allocation of water upstream.
“This event will help us explain to people interstate why the Murray is South Australia’s life blood and why we must protect it for the benefit of future generations,” Mr Weatherill said.
“Local councils along the route will be encouraged to fly a Fight for the Murray flag in their communities – as a sign that they have joined the campaign for the best possible plan for the Murray-Darling Basin.
“Councils have been very supportive and keen to get involved. Key community events are planned in Loxton, Renmark, Mannum, Murray Bridge and Goolwa and smaller events are planned in schools, shopping centres and sporting clubs in other townships along the route.
“At each stop the campaign team and river champions will be talking to people about the Fight for the Murray and encouraging them to sign up online, if they haven’t already done so.
“Time is short – with the plan expected to go to the Federal Parliament soon, there is just a small window of opportunity for all Australians who are concerned about the health of the river to get involved,” Mr Weatherill said.
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