International Day of Action for Rivers – Join the Clean River Operation!

On March 14, we celebrate the International Day of Action for Rivers. This holiday is not widely known, which is unfortunate, as rivers around the world are drying up at an alarming rate, and more than 60 percent of them are disrupted by transverse barriers – dams. The negative consequences of these changes, not only for local communities and ecosystems, require decisive action.

Where did the International Day of Action for Rivers originate?

In March 1997, the Brazilian city of Curitiba hosted an international meeting of representatives from communities affected by dam construction, attended by delegates from 20 countries. They signed a declaration demanding transparency and democratic participation in the development of water and energy policies. As a symbol of their dedication and solidarity, they established March 14 as the International Day of Action Against Dams, for Rivers, Water, and Life.

Over time, this title was shortened as the occasion took on a more universal meaning. Expanding beyond the issue of the negative impact of dams, it became an opportunity to raise public awareness about threats to watercourses resulting, among other things, from climate change.

Global initiatives on March 14

This year marks the 28th celebration of the International Day of Action for Rivers. The event is coordinated worldwide by the global organization International Rivers, and this year’s theme is “Our Rivers, Our Future.” The main focus is on the importance of rivers for the planet’s health, support for renaturalization efforts, and the engagement of local communities in river managemen

Among the planned activities are:
• a silent protest on the Austrian river Oetz against the expansion of the Kaunertal hydropower plant;
• a theatrical happening on the French river Paillon in Nice;
• a citizen science program focusing on the presence of mollusks and plastic in the Italian river Tiber;
• a river cleanup campaign on Bulgaria’s Jantra River led by the local academic community;
• demonstrations advocating for the protection of the Indus River in Pakistan from illegal canal and dam construction;
• a thanksgiving festival on the Mekong River in Cambodia, combined with prayers for halting harmful investments.

What is being done for rivers in Poland?

The International Day of Action for Rivers is a great opportunity to reflect on the challenges facing Polish river basins. In recent years, we have witnessed a series of extreme hydrological events, including the ecological disaster on the Oder River, record-low water levels on the Vistula, and floods in the Kłodzko Valley. The 2023 White Paper on Polish Rivers highlights non-climate-related causes of poor water conditions: ineffective water resource management and monitoring, unclear institutional responsibilities, limited involvement of social organizations in decision-making processes, and lenient treatment of industrial polluters.

Fortunately, there are also positive developments, with the activities of the Clean River Foundation standing out in particular. Thanks to its initiative, local river cleanup actions began for the seventh time at the beginning of March this year. So far, 8,914 participants have collected three tons of waste, and for the weekend of March 14-15, the Main Headquarters has planned a tree-planting campaign in Łosina, Mazovia. Local cleanups in honor of the International Day of Action for Rivers are also planned in the Następówka Valley (Mazovia), on the Dobra River (Lower Silesia), along the Vistula in Puławy (Lublin), near the rivers Gnojnik and Łówczanka (Subcarpathia), and on the Budkowiczanka River (Opole).

Since 2019, the Clean River Operation has mobilized over 64,000 volunteers who have collectively removed 1,447 tons of waste. Cleanups are organized throughout the season in all regions of the country. What is the takeaway? Instead of complaining about the state of Polish waters, let’s get off the couch and dedicate at least one day to taking action for our rivers!

source: Fundacja Czysta Rzeka