Hundreds of canoeists claim the lowering of sediments
A hundred canoeists have navigated the Ebro river in the 23rd canoeing of the Plataforma en Defensa de l’Ebre (PDE) to claim the need to lower the sediments. This protest day has coincided with the European elections, a fact that the organization considers significant. According to Matilde Font, spokesperson for the PDE, there is concern about the future of the European Green Pact in the next five years. The participants have had no incidents with the river bed due to the recent rains that have benefited the Ebro. The canoe has ended in Tortosa with a banner calling for a ‘living river’.
Canoeing for the survival of the delta and the fluvial ecosystem
The 23rd Piraguada in defense of the Ebro has covered the twenty kilometers between Xerta and Tortosa along the river. The aim of this initiative is to publicize the state of the river and demand the lowering of sediments to guarantee the survival of the delta and the river ecosystem. This edition has coincided with the European elections, a fact that has been considered significant by the organization. Matilde Font, spokesperson for the PDE, has highlighted the importance of keeping citizens mobilized to defend the natural environment.
Increasing the flow of the river does not solve the problems
Unlike last year, the canoeists did not get stuck along the route due to the increase in the flow of the Ebro River caused by the rains. However, from the platform they insist that the increase in flow does not solve the problems related to the lack of relief. Although there is more water, sediments continue to be retained in the marshes.
Vindication and joy are combined in canoeing
The canoeing was a vindictive and playful day at the same time. A hundred people, including members of the PDE and new participants, have taken part in this action. Marc Reyes, a resident of Riba-roja d’Ebre, has highlighted the changes he has observed in the river over the years and has expressed the importance of the defense of the Ebre. Pepita Boix, an assiduous participant in the PDE canoes, has stressed the importance of the collective effort to achieve the goals.
Conclusion in Tortosa with a banner for a ‘living river’
After a stop in Aldover to make proclamations in favor of lowering sediments and against the connection of networks, the participants have arrived in Tortosa accompanied by a gentle breeze. As usual, they were greeted with joy and unfurled a banner with the slogan ‘We want living rivers’.