On the occasion of International Rivers Day of Action, an international virtual symposium on the topic “Rivers 4 Development: National Interest at What Cost? – Local to Global” was organised by the IQAC, Paryas: The Sociological Society, Govt. College Chamba in collaboration with Centre for Inclusive Development of Global Forum for Sustainable Rural Development; Asia Climate Change Education Centre, Jeju, South Korea; International Rivers Network; SEWA Himalayas; CEVA; SSHP; RNHS; RC-11 of Indian Sociological Society; Department of Geography, Govt. College Shahpur, Himachal Pradesh.
The International Day of Action for Rivers is a day dedicated to solidarity – when diverse communities around the world come together with one voice to say that rivers matter. That communities having access to clean and flowing water matters. That everyone should have a say in decisions that affect their water and their lives even in the name of development. That it’s our time to stand up for these rights, now more than ever. This year the day was celebrated on the theme, “Rights of Rivers”. Collectively, the organisers are of the view that river need our help – our voices, hence decided to speak-out, defend, protect, restore, and be a river guardian.
It was emphasised that rivers are the arteries of our planet. They are lifelines in the truest sense. Rivers never go reverse. So, try to live like a river, forget your past and focus on your future. If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water and inspite of huge development, still we will have to search the alternative of water which is flowing freely in the rivers.
The programme was divided into two parts; first part was international virtual symposium and second part was field visit and NadiAarti. In the first part; Dr. Shiv Dayal, Principal of host college acted as chief guest of the symposium and he asserted to adopt Indian values to protect and safeguard the rights of the rivers around the globe.
Prof. Takashi Oguchi from Tokoyo University, Sheikh Rokon from Bangladesh, Dr.Ritu Dhingra from IUCN (CEESP), Sunil Kumar Pariyar from Nepal, Dr. Shree KrishanaJugnu from Rajasthan and Abena Agyarkowa Otchere-Darko from Ghana have presented their deliberations on different aspects of river development. The symposium was magnificently moderated by Dr. Sachin Kumar, Associate Professor of Geography, Govt. College Shahpur, Himachal Pradesh.
After the deliberations, question answer session was organised which was very interactive.
Dr.Jayanta Choudhury has asserted the important role of GFSRD with rural development perspective in view of SDGs in the protection of river rights.
Finally, Dr.Mohinder Slariya, the coordinator IQAC Govt. College Chamba has proposed vote of thanks.
In the second part of the event, some students visited saal valley and finally in the evening in collaboration with Not on Map a river aarti was offered at H2O house in which people of different walks of life remained present.