Shouting “No to dams,” members of the Movement in Defense of Water and Territory in Sonora held a peaceful demonstration at the intersection of Luis Encinas and Rosales boulevards, after having held a caravan from Banamichi to the Sonoran capital.
Ismael Limón, former commissioner of the Molino de Camou ejido and former president of the Irrigation Unit, explained that the people of the Sonora River carried out this activity because of the imposition of the Sonora state government’s project to build three dams.
“They have already attempted to violate the territories, abuse the people. There are no permits, no licenses, there is no water in the river to build a dam. Simply with that, we always suggest that they first solve the problem of the city, where more than half of the water that comes from outside communities is wasted,” he commented.
The member of the Upper Northwest Basin Council also noted that there are many solutions beyond the construction of these dams, such as implementing wastewater treatment processes.
He reported that the El Molinito and Abelardo L. Rodríguez dams are dry, so he says he doesn’t know where the water will be supplied to these new dams.
“Just because they build more dams doesn’t mean there will be more water. The water that reaches the city must be made more efficient, cared for, and made potable, and gray water must be recirculated again. There are many things to do,” he continued.
Ismael Limón recalled that, regarding water, the law states that this resource is first for human consumption, then agriculture, followed by industry. Therefore, he emphasized that government authorities have prioritized mining in this regard.
“They haven’t taken a single liter of water from the mining industry. They’ve taken water from the Mayo Valley, the Yaqui Valley, and the ejidatarios. But they haven’t touched the mining industry. The mines haven’t stopped producing a single gram of copper or gold from what they produce. However, the ejidatarios and agricultural producers are ceasing to produce. This is inconsistent with the national water law,” he added.
Finally, the member of the Upper Northwest Basin Council called on all citizens to join this cause, as the livelihood of a large number of people depends on this issue, affecting not only the communities of the Sonora River, but also the residents of Hermosillo.
Source: oem
