The United Nation adopted the UN Resolution to celebrate ‘World Rivers Day’ on fourth Sunday of September every year to disseminate the value of rivers and increase public awareness. The first event was held in the year 2005 which garnered immense support of millions of people across the globe to help conserve rivers around the world. Rivers are the fountain head of the civilization and source of life since time immemorial. In the present context the wars are being fought to secure the water sources.
All the early civilizations were generally settled near great rivers, as old as Egyptian civilization or Indus valley civilization – the precursor to modern India with more than 400 and many small streams that flow in the upper Himalayan region. In J&K many major rivers like Jhelum, Chenab, Tawi, Neelam flow providing fresh potable water and culminate into major lakes, viz, Dal, Wular & Manasbal lake. The rivers also act as important energy source in the region, simultaneously attracts tourists across the globe.
Raising public awareness, educating the masses about the importance of rivers and issues affecting these, were the agendas to celebrate World Rivers Day. These water bodies are often taken for granted leading to deterioration in due course of time. This day ensures that their importance is cherished as they are in-valuable and irreplaceable. World river day acts as vital stimulus for engaging communities together, and encourages people to participate for a common goal. By garnering global support, the ‘World River Day’ aims in defining new polices and decision to conserve and protect the rivers. This day brings conservationists, advocates, scientists, concerned civilian dignitaries and others affluent person alites to put across their views and concern to organization / government and chalk out better and efficient ways to conserve and protect the same.
Rivers hold historical and cultural significance, with many communities relying on them for livelihood’s, transportation and sustenance. The rivers especially in India hold immense cultural and spiritual significance in societal norms for Instance-Ganga is known as ‘Mother’. The world acknowledges this fact and rivers are collectively celebrated on the day across the globe. The river eco system offers safe havens to various unique species of animals. Thus, conserving rivers help conserving these species.
The Govt plan for rivers in Kashmir focuses on flood control, water conservation and development. Key initiatives include restoring Jhelum’s flood spill channels, strengthening embankments and improving drainage under the Jhelum and Tawi Food Recovery Project. Irrigation schemes like the National Hydrology Project and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana aim to boost water use for agriculture. Riverfront development in Srinagar promotes tourism, while hydropower projects on the Jhelum and Chenab rivers enhance energy security. Additionally, cleaning initiatives like Namami Gange aim to reduce pollution and restore the health of the river ecosystems.
It is only through collective efforts of all and communities at a small level put together globally, we can help save the rivers. Rivers not only serve as a source of sand-mining, it also provides an eco-system to other species and most important of them all is a source of fresh water. The global warming and climate change manifested in rain deficit and reduce water level. Many Countries are facing drought like situation, hence, instead of polluting the rivers a conservative eco-system is required to save the perineal source of potable water.
