CARP (Communities Against River Pollution) writes for the Standard.
THE RIGHT to flow free from pollution is just one of the rights a river charter would grant to the River Severn.
CARP’s Bewdley River Festival focuses on encouraging people to appreciate the River Severn, its flora and fauna and its recreational value. The event is also raising awareness of the highly polluted state it is in. We want a clean, healthy vibrant river and to this aim we are very busy promoting The River Severn Charter Of Rights.
Two major culprits in the pollution are raw sewage being put into the river and toxic chemicals in the form of agricultural spraying residues.
The catchment area for the Severn is huge – some 8,100sq miles (21,000sq kilometres) with hundreds of streams and brooks.
That includes a lot of arable fields, many of which receive regular doses of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides or dessicant such as glyphosate, which is sprayed onto crops such as cereals just prior to harvesting. It then kills off the living parts of the plant and enables easier harvesting.
This practice has increased tremendously in the past few years.
Some of this chemical residue inevitably ends up in our streams and rivers and also in your food!
Could the loss of the river’s watercrowsfoot plant be related to this?
The production of such agrichemicals is a multibillion pound industry and they are not keen on telling us about negative effects.
Our water companies are regularly, legally (though not morally) allowed to discharge raw sewage into our rivers and also continually to do so illegally – thus creating serious human health risks and damaging the river’s ecosystems.
Think twice before swimming, paddling or playing about on the river and definitely do not swallow any river water.
CARP is at the forefront of developing a Charter Of Rights For The River Severn, which will cover all of the river – from the source down to the sea.
River rights
The rights are:
1.The right to flow and perform natural functions,
2.The right to biodiversity,
3.The right to be free from pollution,
4.The right to be supported by a healthy catchment,
5.The right to regenerate
6. The right to representation.
This will involve the support of all council and decision makers throughout the river’s length with them sharing the responsibility for the wellbeing of the river.
Ships and companies have been legal entities for decades and can undertake legal action.
The right to representation will mean that the river has appointed spokespersons who can legally act on its behalf, to ensure its wellbeing – much like a company.
The River Wye has recently been the first whole river to get its charter and has been supported by county council’s throughout it’s length.
Worldwide many countries have granted Rights For Rivers, including New Zealand, Columbia and India.
This is about changing mindsets and recognising the intrinsic value of our river and nature.
We need local people to be part of this change.
You can get involved by coming along to our inspiring and practical Rights of Rivers workshop to explore the concept of the rights of rivers and to help us develop our own charter and more nature centred governance models for our river.
The workshop will take place from 6.30pm to 8pm on Thursday, July 23 at Bewdley Baptist Church, 61 High Street, Bewdley.
The workshop is aimed at anyone who wants to know more and feels a connection with the River.
We also invite any key stakeholders (local councillors, members of Wildlife Trusts, anglers, rowers, environmentalists).
A symbolic boat of Hope will be in Bewdley Town from 2pm to 4pm and at the Baptist Church where people can attach their pledges for the river .
The workshop is free but donations to CARP and the River Festival are welcome.
Cake and hot and cold drinks for all.
You can play your part in this historic occasion in protecting our river by telling others about the Charter Of Rights For The River Severn and by contacting your councillors to support it.
Please visit: change.org/p/support-rights-for-the-river-severn-wyre-forest to sign CARP’s petition if you haven’t done so already.
