A NEW REPORT states that only one-third of rivers the world over remain free-flowing, rendering a more critical existential situation than ever. In view of it, “Waterways of Life,” the theme for World Rivers Day 2025, underscores the crucial role that rivers play in sustaining life.
World Rivers Day, observed every September 28, highlights the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of rivers. The day also promotes the protection and restoration of rivers worldwide. Rivers form an integral part of the environment, and they are vital for people and wildlife. With rivers facing threats from pollution, overuse, and climate change, this day serves as a crucial call to action for communities, students, organizations, and governments to ensure the health and sustainability of these vital waterways for future generations.
Rivers are a part of our lives. Many religions revere the rivers as the mother. However, climate change, rapid urbanization, industrialization, and an increase in population have caused tremendous impacts on rivers. Also, there are many communities whose survival, livelihood, and existence solely depend on rivers.
All the ancient civilizations flourished on the riverbanks. River valleys and plains provide fertile soils and good harvests for the people. Rivers are the most beautiful things seen from outer space. Rivers connect us. Rivers have no political boundaries. Rivers are the messengers of peace; with no castes and no language, they join together for different nations on their courses. Thus, rivers are part of a global movement to care for and protect—fiercely and unapologetically—our communities.
Rivers are the arteries of the planet. They act as the prime role for the global biodiversity and climate change. Rivers carry water and nutrients to areas all around the earth. They play a very important role in the water cycle, acting as drainage channels for the surface water. Rivers drain nearly 75 per cent of the earth’s surface and provide excellent habitat and food for many organisms. Today, in many countries, rivers produce 15 per cent of the world’s total electricity, which is approximately 4210 TWh in 2024.
Flooding is the greatest risk for riverfront peoples. The risk of flooding increases significantly with rivers that have little or no flood control. The fallout from flooding could lead to extensive property damage and expensive, time-consuming repairs. But in truth, rivers whose courses are virgin will never be flooded. Rivers join the mountains and the valley and then the oceans as a linkage for biodiversity.
Walking along a riverbank and spending time in the natural space helps to reduce stress, anxiety, and worry. 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. Rivers also lowered the heart and breathing rate, improving the heart.
Community Participation in River Restoration
The events of World Rivers Day include riverside cleanups, catchment restoration, awareness programs, nature walks, school projects, art displays, cycling, runs, and parades. Citizens are encouraged to join the event in their own area and local rivers. Other different activities may include encouragements on wildlife and fishes that live in rivers.
Rivers in every country face an array of threats, and hence active involvement of communities is needed to ensure the health of rivers in the years ahead. Pollution, deforestation in catchments, water extraction, drought, dams, and invasive aquatic species threaten the health and future of our rivers. Some of the worst impacts of climate change on both people and ecosystems will be felt through its impacts on rivers. Minimizing the impacts of climate change will require diversifying away from dependence on rivers for electricity generation and flood control.
Around the world, climate change is melting glaciers that feed major rivers, contributing to drought-induced hydroelectricity blackouts and threatening the water supply and river resources for billions of people. Besides heavy rain and discharge, the urban and rural encroachments in the river basin, including infrastructure such as railway lines, expressways and roads, played a negative role in creating bottlenecks, which exacerbated the floods to the tune of 20 per cent.
For better planning in the floodplain, we should not only avoid encroachment and building on river basins, but also protect wetlands that are the natural sponge for floodwaters.
Major Rivers and River Basins in Manipur
Manipur has four major river basins: the Barak River Basin to the west, the Manipur River Basin in the center, the Yu River Basin in the east, and a portion of the Liyai River Basin in the north. The major rivers in the state are the Imphal River, Iril River, Nambul River, Thoubal River, Sengmai River, Chakpi River, Wangjing River, Tuivai River, Leimatak River, and Khuga River. Although the beauty of these rivers adds to the scenery of the state, most of these rivers are losing their pristine condition.
Now, many rivers are endangered. In a world where many of our rivers and their surrounding communities and ecosystems are struggling, threatened by multiple impacts of overpopulation, pollution, plastic waste, climate change, and ineffective governance, it should be our topmost priority to conserve and ensure protection of the rivers in the state for the sake of Mother Earth and the future generations.
(The views expressed are solely those of the author. The author is an Environmentalist, presently working as District Forest Officer, Chandel district, Manipur. The author can be reached at nmunall@yahoo.in)