An Indian court recognized Himalayan glaciers as "legal persons" on March 31 in an effort to curb environmental destruction. Here, other instances when Mother Nature gained legal standing.
INDIA
The highly polluted Ganges and Yamuna rivers were given the same status as a human being on March 20. This means legal guardians can now represent the waterways in court over any violation.
NEW ZEALAND
A river in the country’s North Island became a legal person on March 15. A local Maori tribe has fought for nearly 150 years for the Whanganui River to be recognized as an ancestor.
ECUADOR
In 2008 the South American country set a legal precedent by giving nature rights like those of humans in its constitution. This means entire ecosystems have the “right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate.”