Article 71 of the Ecuador Constitution (2008) bestows “rights” to nature with respect to its existence and the maintenance and regeneration of its vital cycles, structure, functions and evolutionary processes.  The Article goes on to say that all people, communities and nationalities have the right to demand that public authorities respect the rights of nature.

Principles established in the Constitution regulate the application and interpretation of these rights.  The National Government will provide incentives to people and groups to protect nature and promote respect for all of them.