Swimming, treks and explorations, washing and fishing were among the most enjoyable things we did in boyhood summer days at the river.
Ask anybody who has lived in communities like mine where a river flowed and, most likely, the same experiences would reverberate in mind. Sadly, however, many rivers have dried up at certain times of the year due to global rising temperatures, which cause increased evaporation and alter the patterns of precipitation, resulting in reduced water flow in rivers, streams and creeks.
Human intervention is also considered as an important factor in the life and productivity of rivers.
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My hometown, Cauayan, is blessed to have a number of rivers, and streams. Perhaps, no other town or city in Negros island has as many as major bridges as Cauayan. The presence of bridges means there are rivers underneath.
Travelling from the northernmost barangay of Mambugsay down to the southern villages of Bulata and Elihan, one passes over at least five big rivers through the bridges – in Barangay Guiljungan, Poblacion, Isio, Caliling and Inayauan.
The thought of and thankfulness for rivers come significantly at this time of the year when the World Rivers Day is being observed – on the last Sunday of the month, and that is Sept. 29.
Proponents of the global event encourage people in more than 100 countries where WRD is being observed “to celebrate a river near you.”
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The theme of the celebration this year is “Waterways of Life”. It highlights the crucial role rivers, as well as creeks and wetlands, play in sustaining life through their various uses.
World Rivers Day was proposed to the United Nations by a Canadian environmentalist, Mark Angelo, following the launch in 2005 of the Water for Life Decade. The 10-year program focused on creating greater awareness on the global need to take better care of our water resources.
Angelo is well remembered in what he said in promoting WRD: “Rivers are the arteries of our planet; they are lifelines in the truest sense.”
Specifically, WRD focuses on “the many values of rivers and strives to increase public awareness while encouraging improved stewardship of rivers around the world.” It also promotes active involvement of global citizens “to ensure the health of rivers in the years ahead.”
To celebrate the event, cleanups, habitat restoration, nature walks, art displays and music festivals, art shows are being held worldwide.
We trust that, as part of urgent conservation measures, our leaders and policymakers will continue their vigilance in environmental protection, by giving priority to programs that ensure the wellbeing and state of rivers, streams, creeks and other waterways to preserve biodiversity and life itself.
And responding to the call of advocates at this time of the year, let’s celebrate a river near us by visiting it or doing our share in promoting the good word about ensuring its health through our actions and daily ways.
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Think of how coffee and information blend, especially in the ‘kapehan’ where morning habitués get together to enjoy their sips while sharing views on happenings of the day.
This time of the year promotes that unique blend as the world community marks International Day for Universal Access to Information on Sept. 28 and International Coffee Day on Oct. 1.
The United Nations, through UNESCO, in initiating the Sept. 28 observance, underscores that access to information is vital and it plays an important role in development, democracy and equality, thus such access must be protected as it is a fundamental human right.
Coffee Day celebrates the enjoyment of the popular beverage and, at the same time, draws attention to the promotion of fair trade and the plight of coffee growers.
A great blend, indeed – having coffee while sharing the day’s information and its implications and ramifications in our daily lives.
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If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea. (Isaiah 48:18) | NWI
