This article proposes a model declaration of river rights that could be included as an annex to river contracts. These contracts are voluntary and participatory tools that reconcile local development needs with environmental protection and the sustainable management of river basins. This proposal is based on the idea of a paradigm shift that moves beyond the anthropocentric vision. It recognises that nature, and rivers in particular, have an intrinsic value and their own rights. Even before its legal value, the proposal has an ethical and cultural value, as it promotes collective responsibility and environmental awareness among local communities.