"Lake Titicaca Protection Unites Indigenous Groups and Advocates in La Paz and El Alto, Bolivia - Saving Mama Qota"
In 2025, a collective of indigenous communities, activists, and researchers courageously banded together to address the dire state of Lake Titicaca—a shared treasure between Bolivia and Peru, endangered by pollution, extractivism, and climate change. By joining forces at events like the "Listening and ExchangeSession: Mama Qota is in Peril," they applied pressure to protect the world's highest navigable lake.
The gathering, held at both the National Museum of Ethnography and Folklore in La Paz and the Wayna Tambo Cultural Center in El Alto, empowered local voices through dialogues, workshops, and the screening of documentary "Mama Qota is in Peril." Produced by Cultural Survival's Indigenous Rights Radio, this aural masterpiece elevated the concerns of those impacted by the lake's pollution, showcased civil society cleanup efforts, and highlighted the role of scientists in preserving this precious ecosystem.
Premiering during the first day of activities, panelists—experts on climate change, community members, and interview subjects from the documentary—offered stark insights into the challenges Lake Titicaca faces. Gonzalo Lora, a biologist and vigilant activist, warned of the perils of pollution and invasive species, predicting irreversible damage to the ecosystem. Oscar Limacchi, an Aymara totora weaving artisan, poignantly described how the lake's pollution had destroyed his ancestral craft. Martha Coila, a resident of the Uros Islands in Peru, emotionally spoke of climate change's impact on tourism—her community's primary source of income. Katherine Illanes, a member of the Institute for Research and Action for Integral Development, discussed community-based alternatives to counter pollution disasters.
On the event's second day, community communicators and residents gathered at Wayna Tambo Cultural Center. They painstakingly identified threats to Lake Titicaca—namely ubiquitous plastic pollution from cities like El Alto, Viacha, and Laja; extinction of native fish and other endemic species; and insufficient wastewater treatment. To combat these scourges, they proposed innovative solutions, such as creating a binational network of communicators, conducting quarterly clean-up campaigns, and establishing a research center focused on Lake Titicaca.
The meeting served as a turning point, emphasizing the primal importance of Lake Titicaca for both the nations of Bolivia and Peru. Participants industry partners—who gathered to brainstorm ways to boost community radio's impact as a tool of resistance and underscore the urgency of joint actions to sustain the waters, lands, and forests that enrich our lives.
As local leaders and activists fight tirelessly to preserve this valued water source, the power of community radio as a beacon of resistance rings true. The global community must take notice and stand with them as they protect Mama Qota and ensure her longevity for generations to come.
- Participants at the "Listening and Exchange Session: Mama Qota is in Peril" highlighted the importance of environmental science and education and self-development in addressing the challenges faced by Lake Titicaca, such as climate change, pollution, and the impact on the local community.
- Katherine Illanes, a member of the Institute for Research and Action for Integral Development, revealed the role of learning and scientific research in preserving the precious ecosystem of Lake Titicaca, emphasizing the need for community-based alternatives to counter pollution disasters.
