Today is World Rivers Day celebrated on every fourth Sunday of September.
This year’s theme is “Importance of Rivers to Biodiversity”.
Now everyone should join hands to strengthen the movement for rivers, water and its Biodiversity. Together, we can raise our voices to bring attention to the urgent needs and threats facing our rivers and stand for hope and solidarity to find solutions to protect our rivers.
Every river is unique in terms of its flow patterns, the landscapes, the species it supports and on its associated ecosystems. Rivers have no political boundaries; they connect the different nations together along its entire course having different language, culture and religions as a loving mother. Thus rivers are part of a global peace and protect-fiercely and unapologetically- our communities.
Rivers are the most beautiful objects seen from outer space. Rivers are a part of our communities. We cannot segregate our local river systems without ultimately impacting our own health and well-being. These issues are not solely river issues; they are issues for human communities and for the future generations.
Rivers in every country face an array of threats and only our active involvement will ensure their health in the years ahead. Many of the world’s rivers are endangered with rapid urbanisation, industrialisation and increase in human pollution, deforestation in catchments, water extraction, drought, dams and invasive aquatic species.
Rivers form an integral part of our environment and they are vital for people and wildlife. Also, there are many communities whose survival, livelihood and existence depend upon rivers. A new report states that just one third of the world’s rivers remained free-flowing rendering them more critical than ever.
Rivers connect the oceans, valleys and mountains as a linkage for biodiversity. They play a very important role in the water cycle, acting as drainage channels for surface water.
Rivers drain nearly 75% of the earth’s land surface and provide excellent habitat and food for many of the earth’s organisms.
Walking along the river bank and spending time in the natural space helps to reduce stress, anxiety, worry and also lowered heart and breathing rate. The added benefit of living by a river is the air surrounding the water contains added oxygen and moisture as well as a large dose of negative ions that increase our Serotonin to absorb the oxygen. So people who reside near to rivers breathe deep and relax at home.
Rivers play a crucial role in our well-being, happiness and physical and mental health. Research has shown that being in and near the river or water can provide a long list of benefits for our mind and body, increasing an overall sense of well-being and happiness.