France: ‘Water war’ rages – Protesters, police clash in west amid water shortages

Heavy police forces clashed with activists in the western port of La Rochelle. From France – About Franceless than a week before the start of Olympic GamesThe police tried to break up the clash using water cannons and tear gas. 4000 people gatheredwho were protesting Against building water tanks For use in agriculture.

A police officer and five protesters were injured, while several shops were damaged.

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🔴🇨🇵 Flash – Violent clashes between CRS and opposition protesters #megabasin In La Rochelle#La Rochelle #bathtub is unforgiving #basins

📹 @Bsmutback pic.twitter.com/721dtVOdJK

– Actu Monde 🕊️ (@ActuMonde_) July 20, 2024

Protesters speak of a peaceful movement and accuse the authorities of using force.

stress for Water Resources Management Rising in France Due to long droughtThe construction of these reservoirs, with significant government funding, aims to collect Water in winter For watering crops in summer Water scarcity problem It’s bigger.

“We are pumping existing groundwater to fill the tanks today, but this groundwater is used to fill the tanks from November 1 to March 31,” he added. “We take the water in the winter so that we don’t take it in the spring or summer for the sake of the environment,” the project contractor explains.

According to reports, these tanks will include: 620,000 cubic meters of waterthe quantity corresponding to 250 Olympic size swimming pools. the Critics Who is that project object? Pumping water from the underground aquifer is a waste of water resources. Which favors only large farms, as only a very small percentage of arable land is equipped. Irrigation canals The farms associated with it around the reservoirs are few and far between.

In each of our appeals, the court ruled in our favor. It clearly ruled that climate change was not taken into account. It clearly decided that the project was based on the consumption of the 2012 season, and that they did not take into account the consequences for the environment and biodiversity.The representative of the environmental organization said,Not in the tanks” (Bassines Non merci), Jacques Guillermo.

In March 2023, similar incidents erupted during a demonstration over tanks in Saint-Soulin, western France.

Report: Eugenia Meredow