Rakshita
Rivers are one of the most precious gifts of nature that sustain the living world on earth. As the pioneer of World Rivers Day, Mark Angelo said, “Rivers are the arteries of our planet; they are lifelines in the truest sense”.
The beginnings of this celebration date back to 2005 when the United Nations initiated the Water for Life Decade to preserve the water resources of the globe. Mark Angelo until that time had already managed to celebrate BC Rivers Day since 1980 in Canada. So the proposal for a World Rivers Day was welcomed with open arms. The occasion is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of September every year.
In 2021, World Rivers Day will be celebrated on the 26th of September around the corners of the globe. Several countries hold major and minor events to work for the goal of cleaner and safer rivers every year. From cleaning campaigns to awareness programs there are various ways to be a contributor to this day.
World Rivers Day Celebrations
Rivers are prone to various degrees and kinds of pollution. Not to mention, all this is a result of humans’ ignorant activity for decades. It is high time that we give back to nature the balance and harmony that it has lost.
What India is doing to protect the Rivers?
Conserving the Pride of India – Namami Gange Programme
In India, our honourable Prime Minister started his leadership with a significant conservation programme for our national river Ganga. In 2014, Namami Gange Programme was launched to preserve and revive the beauty of our national river. The programme involves several projects to ensure the development of sewage treatment infrastructure, afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and river surface cleaning.
The programme is an Integrated Conservation Mission, approved as ‘Flagship Programme’ by the Union Government with a budget outlay of Rs.20,000 Crore to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.
Important Rivers to Visit in India
India is a country deeply rooted in tradition and culture. Rivers are not just water bodies but sacred entities that are a part of the superior cultural heritage of India. There are various reasons for people to visit riversides. The believers might be going to take a dip in the holy waters of the sacred rivers like Ganga and Yamuna. And the travellers might be curious about the raw beauty of waters nestled in the valleys of Assam, Ladhak, and Uttarakhand. Whatever your reason, you can visit these delightful rivers at least once in your lifetime.
1.Ganga
The river Ganga originates from the Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand flowing through Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. It holds a significant place in the cultural heritage of Hinduism and attracts attention from around the world. The cities of Haridwar, Allahabad, and Varanasi are the most popular tourist places that boast the beauty of the Ganges.
2.Yamuna
The Yamuna River aka ‘Jamuna’ travels through Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi in India. You can visit any of these states to listen to the serene sound of the waves of Yamuna. Not to mention, the architectural wonder of India, the Taj Mahal is also situated on the banks of the Yamuna River.
3.Kaveri
Flowing through the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the Kaveri River holds a special place in the hearts of Indians. Krishna Raja Sagare dam, Abbey Falls, and Brahmagiri Hill are some amazing places to visit near the Kaveri River.
4.Brahmaputra
The mighty river Brahmaputra flows across the borders of India, Bangladesh, and Tibet. You can get the best glimpse of Brahmaputra in Sualkuchi, Guwahati, or at the Brahmaputra Beach festival in Assam.
5.Indus
The Indus River has been a trademark of human civilization itself that flows across Tibet, India, and Pakistan. To witness the vast picturesque of Indus River you can visit Ladakh to enjoy the Sindhu Darshan Festival or Kashmir to get a heavenly view.
Other major rivers that you must visit in India are- Krishna, Narmada, Teesta, Mahanadi, Tapti, Sutlej, Jhelum, Mandovi, Chambal, and Umngot.
Call for Project Ideas : Thesis Competition
An opportunity and recognition platform for the students of the country.
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) are organizing a thesis competition on Re-imagining Urban Rivers, and the deadline for project idea submission for Season 2 is before 26 September 2021. A competition for Bachelor’s and Master’s students where they can submit their project ideas by picking any of the theme options below.
Themes of the Competition:
Theme 1: Reducing river pollution
Theme 2: Rejuvenating water bodies
Theme 3: Creating a vibrant river zone
Theme 4: Generating a river-related economy
Theme 5: Engaging citizens in river management activities
Competitions like these will encourage future generations i.e. students to take part in the development, growth and problem-solving challenges faced by the countries.
Bottom Line
Nature and its resources need our attention more than ever. So, days like World Rivers Day must be celebrated on an international scale to keep the good work going. Being a contributor to these causes can be the best thing for you to be a dutiful citizen of this world. Rivers are for all across boundaries so let us unify and bring a positive change in their current state.
