International Day of Action for Rivers: Definition, History & Impact
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Brazil holds the history of celebrating the first International Day of Action against Dams and for rivers, water, and life. On March 14, 1997, in Curitiba, Brazil representatives from 20 countries met to raise voice against destructive water development projects.
What is the History of International Day of Action for Rivers?
The history goes back to the year 1985 when a group of volunteers formed the International Rivers Network. They believed in developing a worldwide network to protect rivers and promote sustainable energy development.
Years later, in Curitiba, Brazil, International Representatives met together and sensitized people about ecologically fragile watershed areas. This day, March 14, was declared to be the International Day of Action for Rivers.
How is the International Day for Action for Rivers celebrated across the globe?
The first international meeting of people affected by dams was a successful first step in strengthening the global network of the dam-affected.
The theme for the year 2020 was “Women, Water and Climate Change.” Around 100 Women from more than 32 countries provided their efforts to protect and defend rivers.
Commemorations are uniquely done across various continents for the International Day of Action for Rivers. In Africa, the African Rivers Network is working on the river and dam-related issues. In Latin America, the Regular is a prominent organization that consists of more than 250 environmental and human rights organizations to confront the threats of hydropower development across Latin America.
In North America, the American Rivers has restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers throughout the U.S. In South Asia, the HYPHEN, which stands for Himalayan and Peninsular Hydro-Ecological Network, established in 2007, works in Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It is conducting research and campaigns for the conservation of Himalayan and Peninsular Rivers.
What is the impact of the International Day of Action for Rivers?
International Rivers has been able to stop, delay more than 217 Dam projects and have involved more than 860 NGO partners all around the globe. Around 24 river basins have been supported, and 277 grass-root organizations are supporting financially to protect rivers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
International Day of Action for Rivers has now taken larger proportions as river clean-ups are organized, river walks, and paddleboat celebrations occur worldwide.