Every year on March 14, the International Day of Action for Rivers is celebrated to draw attention to the value and importance of rivers. Additionally, it brings together people from around the world to speak out and raise awareness about pollution, river management, and fair access to clean, running water.
History of the International Day of Action for Rivers:
The First World Conference of People Affected by Dams, held in March 1997 in Curitiba, Brazil, saw the adoption of the International Day of Action for Rivers. The main objectives are to unify opposition to harmful water development projects, restore the health of river basins and demand the equitable and sustainable management of rivers.
Importance and why it is celebrated
The International Day of Action for Rivers is “a day dedicated to solidarity, when diverse communities around the world come together with one voice to proclaim that rivers matter”, according to the organization International Rivers. The purpose of the day is to share knowledge about how rivers support our way of life. It emphasizes freshwater ecosystems (rivers) as a source of clean water for agriculture and consumption, as well as its restoration and maintenance.
A number of events take place around the world on March 14, including river cleanups, webinars, river walks, and paddleboarding celebrations. Volunteers from around the world come together to spread awareness about preserving river bodies. The International Rivers group organized around 120 events in 32 countries in 2021, including Bangladesh, Guam and Germany.
Theme of the International Day of Action for Rivers 2023
The theme of the International Day of Action for Rivers 2023 is “River Rights”, which calls for the recognition of rivers as a national treasure. It also implies the legal power to prevent rivers from becoming dumps or landfills.
Quotes for the International Day of Action for Rivers 2023
Rivers are the arteries of our planet. They are lifelines in the truest sense.
Rivers never go in reverse. So, try to live like a river, forget your past and focus on your future.
If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in the water.
Facts about the International Day of Action for Rivers
Some of the most interesting facts about rivers and the International Day of Action for Rivers are the following
March 14, 2023 will mark the 26th anniversary of the International Day of Action for Rivers.
Around 30-32 countries participate in the celebration of this day.
Some of the events that take place on the International Day of Action for Rivers include river walks, cleanup drives, webinars, and other events.
The longest river in the world is the Nile (6,650 km) in Egypt, and the shortest river in the world is the Roe River (61 m) in the United States.
Some rivers flow below the surface of the earth and are called underground rivers.
Rivers are of two types: rain-fed rivers and snow-fed rivers.
Rivers are the livelihood of all living beings in the world. With continuous human activities, many rivers have shrunk and are polluted.
The International Day of Action for Rivers, celebrated on March 14 each year, emphasizes river conservation by uniting people in the effort.
India and the International Day of Action for Rivers
India is a unique country where rivers are appreciated, but pollution is a major problem. Rivers regarded as deities include the Ganges, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi, Godavari, Narmada, Sindhu (Indus) and Cauvery.
The newly formed Jal Shakti Union Ministry is committed to restoring and maintaining wetlands in river basins, as well as tackling alarming levels of river pollution. The Jal Shakti Union National Ministry has previously been asked to develop a plan to clean up the nation’s polluted river segments by the National Green Court, the country’s pollution watchdog.
