March 14th — the International Day of Rivers

The International Day of Rivers is celebrated today at dozens of countries. Earlier, such an important ecological date was called the International Anti-Dam Day, as well as the Day of Activity in Defense of Rivers, Water, and Life. For the first time, this date was celebrated in 1998. On March 14, 1998 more than 50 protest actions were held in more than 20 countries including Russia, Brazil, India, Thailand, Australia, Japan, and USA. People who are not indifferent to the destiny of rivers staged a demonstration and participated in Saturday work campaigns to clean the rivers. One of the slogans of the International Day of Rivers mentions the necessity to maintain cleanliness of water bodies, as well as to arrange clearing of rivers. These days, regular events held by representatives of anti-dam movement gather around 100 thousand people all around the world.

         The main aim of the campaign is to turn attention of a human being to the global problem ofcontrol of rivers by constructing large dams and water reservoirs that exert negative impact on ecosystems and the natural habitat.

Press Service of the Ministry