Rights of Nature: The Legal Geographies and Political Ecologies of Intermittent Rivers in Sri Lanka

Intermittent rivers (IRs) are the most common type of rivers globally. They flow only during parts of the year and their numb ers are
projected to increase, as permanent rivers become intermittent, due to climate change. Despite their commonness, they are o ften
neglected by communities, conservation laws and water governance. This research focuses on emerging conflicts between rights
of IRs and human water rights in post-
This approach treats natural entities as rights holders. It acknowledges that rivers are not just human property and is often proposed
in the context of ecological crises, where more conventional laws and regulations have proved insufficient to protect a r
quality and quantity. It also aligns well with many indigenous and non -Western worldviews.
The project will focus on the Kanagarayan Aru River as its case study, the longest and largest intermittent river basin in Northern
Sri Lanka. Following a 26-year war, and with an ongoing political and economic crisis, the country in general, and communities of
the North in particular, face severe challenges with regards to social and environmental justice, yet there has not been any
systematic or holistic water rehabilitation or development programme.
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modern water governance, development pressures, and legal and political contests. It will contribute to the emerging body of
knowledge on (1) Rights of Nature; (2) water governance of IRs; (3) post-conflict environmental governance.