21 May, 2025
By:
Admin
Rivers through our lenses
Imagine if rivers could share their stories. They would talk about nurturing civilizations, building lives and sustaining ecosystems. But today their stories would be of neglect, exploitation and plea for respectful consumption. Rivers are more than just water bodies, they are our partners in shared existence. They irrigate our fields, provide us energy, quench our thirst. Yet they are the most ignored in the journey of progress.
In India, rivers hold immense cultural and economic significance, yet their degradation is alarming. However, the COVID-19 lockdown provided a ray of hope—nature’s remarkable capacity for self-healing was evident as pollution levels in rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna dropped significantly. This moment serves as a wake-up call: collective efforts can bring real change.
What if we shift our perspective?
Instead of seeing rivers as mere providers, we start seeing them as partners in progress. Treating rivers as right holders, as New Zealand has done with Whanganui River, will bring a revolutionary shift in our relationship with the rivers. Only if we start seeing rivers as a shared resource and assume joint responsibility can we secure their future. 3 Ps i.e. Partnership, Participation and Persistence are the keys to success.
These 3 Ps go hand in hand. Partnership emphasises the importance of cross-sector collaboration across different stakeholders - Government, Corporates, Businesses, NGOs, Industries to work towards the shared goals. On similar lines, participation highlights the need for inclusive engagement in river management. By empowering local communities, particularly those residing close to the river banks, facilitating dialogues by ensuring their voices are heard, we can cultivate a sense of ownership. Further, river management is not a sprint but a marathon that requires persistent efforts. The process of rejuvenating rivers is not an overnight task, but through consistent monitoring and adaptive strategies, we can ensure lasting and tangible change. Through the revival of indigenous and cultural practices that respect and honor rivers, we can weave river preservation into the fabric of society.
The 3 Ps serve as a foundation for the Collective Action approach to river management. . Collective action brings in a sense of ownership and oneness amongst the stakeholders.It stresses that no single actor—whether a government, corporation, or community—can solve large-scale environmental issues on their own.
At The Godavari Initiative, this approach is central to our vision. We believe that sustainable progress comes from breaking down silos and fostering partnerships. By collaborating across diverse sectors, we can unlock the collective power needed to protect rivers, ensuring they continue to nourish ecosystems, fuel economies, and sustain future generations.
This journey is about ensuring the survival of ecosystems, future generation and biodiversity. Let’s unite our efforts and give rivers a new story- one of Respect, Resilience and Restoration.
