Ecuador
Sand Origin
Las Tunas, Manabi
Random Sand Fact
In Ecuador, nature has rights of its own. That includes sand.
In 2008, Ecuador became the first country in the world to recognise the rights of nature in its constitution. Nature has the right to exist and to maintain and regenerate its life cycles, structure and functions.
That means individuals, communities and organisations can take legal action on nature’s behalf. In 2011, a river won a landmark case after road construction had damaged its course.
Sand is not legally only something to own and use. As part of an ecosystem, it falls within the rights granted to nature.
