by Jamila Tarek
What and When is World Rivers Day?
World Rivers Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of September every year to raise public awareness about rivers and to motivate their preservation. Over 60 countries take part in the annual celebration of Earth's waterways on this day. Today, rivers face a tremendous challenge posed by humans on account of climate change and rapid urbanization.
Origin of World Rivers Day
In 2005, Mark Angelo, a globally distinguished river conservationist, approached the United Nations during its Water for Life campaign — a decade-long initiative to increase awareness about endangered water resources on the planet. Angelo advocated for an annual World Rivers Day to help anchor the campaign. World Rivers Day was seen by the departments of the United Nations as a good play for the targets of the Water for Life decade and other projects. The first World Rivers Day was celebrated in about a dozen countries. Now, the annual event is unmistakable with celebrations in more than 60 countries that engage millions of people!
Significance of Rivers
Rivers are an essential part of the environment. Many communities depend on them for survival. Unfortunately, rapid urbanization, industrialization, and toppling human population have caused immense damage to rivers.
Mark Angelo
Mark Angelo is a world-acclaimed river conservation activist from Burnaby, British Columbia (in Canada). Angelo is the Founder and Chair of BC Rivers Day and World Rivers Day, Angelo has traveled across roughly 1,000 rivers around the world, possibly more than anyone else in the world! His program, 'Riverworld', was a hit in North America and the show’s website has over 40 million visits.
Mark has won numerous awards for his contribution to the preservation of rivers. He received the Order of British Columbia and Order of Canada, which are the utmost honors in the country. He has also won the United Nations Stewardship Award and the National River Conservation Award. According to Mark Angelo, "Rivers are the arteries of our planet; they are lifelines in the truest sense".
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