World Rivers Day: Significance of creating awareness in the wake of climate crisis

World Rivers Day is celebrated every year on the fourth Sunday of every September. This year the day is being celebrated on September 24. In the wake of the climatic conditions undergoing a major change in the last few years, it has become highly essential that rivers which are one of the mainstays of maintaining ecological balance should be preserved in their natural conditions.

Biological and chemical wastes are one of the main causes of rivers getting polluted across the world. Apart from that, in countries like India which believes rivers to be their goddesses, many rituals are also performed on the river banks which ultimately pollutes it to a large extent.

Although government bodies and even NGOs have made people aware of the damage such activities are doing to the quality of river water, a lot more needs to be done to ensure that the quality of water remains pure, clean, and safe for drinking for both man and animals.

World Rivers Day was established after Mark Angelo, the renowned river advocate proposed that a day should be celebrated to create awareness about rivers. Over the years more than 100 countries have started following and millions of individuals participate in different events dedicated to the cause.

This year the theme for World Rivers Day is “Rights of Rivers” which is a tribute to these water bodies carrying fresh and drinking water across the multiple continents on earth and providing elixir to all forms of life on earth for sustenance. Apart from quenching thirst, rivers also serve as the habitat for many species and are prime mediums of transportation.

You can participate in the various events organized to celebrate World Rivers Day by visiting the official website and contributing in your way to this cause.