Siang River Festival began on Monday with the main objective to generate awareness on river cleaning, rejuvenation, rainwater harvesting, tourism development etc. Initiated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jal Shakti Ministry is celebrating River Festivals throughout the country for river rejuvenation and the board will take real action to reduce soil erosion by adopting appropriate projects being offered by experts.

Over the years the abuse of rivers has increased astronomically with pollutants becoming more toxic and complex. Not just big cities, but even smaller towns are neglecting and abusing rivers.

The careless dumping of garbage and sewage in water sources around the capital is a sight which really affects anyone with a conscience. Along with indiscriminate dumping along river routes, killing of fishes using unconventional and harmful means such as by polluting the water with bleaching powder, killing fishes by using generator sets etc have done colossal damage to the fragile river ecosystem which has resulted in death of flora and fauna crucial for the health of a river in general.

It is sad what human insensitivity has done to our rivers.

Tribal communities here and elsewhere share a revered relationship with their environment. The Maori tribe of New Zealand fought for the recognition of their river as an ancestor and after 140 years of negotiation, they won the recognition for Whanganui river few years back. The river is the first in the world to be treated as a  living entity. This is an example of the connect indigenous communities have with nature.

Society must show rivers the respect that they rightfully deserve and command.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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