The Ebro Defense Platform (PDE) gathered around 250 participants for the 25th edition of its emblematic Piraguada event. The activity, which invites the public to paddle kayaks and canoes between Xerta and Tortosa, aims to raise awareness about the need to protect the river.
According to spokesperson Matilde Font, the water's current clear state, rather than its usual brownish hue, indicates the proliferation of invasive species due to significant changes in the river over the past 60 years. The organization highlights the current "key" moment, marked by the debate on the Ebro Basin Hydrological Plan and the initiation of Catalonia's Water Transition Law.
“"When you are in the river, you see that the water is clear and not brownish as it should be. This means that invasive species are proliferating more because the river's conditions have changed enormously in the last 60 years."
Children played a prominent role in this edition. Students from the Escola Sant Llàtzer read a manifesto advocating for river knowledge to ensure its survival, under the slogan "Defending the river is defending our land. The river is life, no to water diversions!". This action follows the PDE's submission of initial objections to the Hydrological Plan, demanding sufficient flows for the river and the Delta, and calling for sediment mobilization efforts.
The platform also demands the return of water allocation for irrigators from Riudecanyes to the Siurana and the safeguarding of allocations for Delta irrigators, crucial for lagoons and bays. In total, eighteen objections have been submitted alongside 25 other organizations.
Concurrently, the PDE is working on Catalonia's Water Transition Law, strongly opposing any attempts to divert water from the Ebro to Barcelona. The platform urges territorial involvement, including civil society, political parties, institutions, unions, and business organizations.
