The privatisation of water and its impacts on settlement and traditional cultural practices in Northern Chile

Abstract

This paper focuses on the ecological and socio-economic aspects of water legislation in Chile. Following legislation that effectively privatised water in the desert and mountain fringes of northern Chile, local farmers that relied upon traditional methods of water management were seriously disadvantaged by legislation that allowed the allocation of scarce water resources to large mining companies. Although legislation exists to protect indigenous peoples, the result has effectively been the depopulation of traditional areas, negative ecological impacts and enhanced urbanisation of the displaced population.

Key Words:

• Water resource legislation
• Chile
• traditional techniques
• impact of mining