Rivers have always been a crucial component of human life. From their infinite depths, our stories emerged. Their waters have served as a moving exhibit of life on their banks, sometimes calm and tumultuous. They are limitless, ageless, and timeless. They have inspired authors, and travel enthusiasts are encouraged to imitate the real-life heroes and protagonists of classic cultural tales generated by the countless iconic riverbank voyages in cult and mainstream history and pop culture.
According to reports, water bodies like oceans and rivers are in bad shape due to pollution, be it sewage mixed rainwater, industrial pollutants, illegal discharge of water from barges and boats, or plastic. Estimates vary, but recent high-quality studies suggest that between 1 and 2 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually. Several innovative, community-driven solutions to reduce pollution are being implemented to clean up rivers.
DialESG, a comprehensive ESG advice and ecosystem enabler, has announced a relationship with The Ocean Cleanup, a Netherlands-based nonprofit environmental engineering organisation.
The Bharat Clean Rivers Foundation will be established as part of the cooperation to assist "Clean India, Green India". The objective is to employ technology to remove plastic from rivers. The initiative will begin with Mumbai.
The Ocean Clean Up's objective is to cleanse the oceans of plastic. This necessitates a two-pronged approach: removing existing plastic pollution from the high seas and preventing waste from flowing into the oceans from rivers. Their findings indicate that plastic emissions from rivers are the primary cause of ocean plastic pollution, with the most polluting rivers typically located near densely populated coastal communities that have waste management issues.
“Our oceans, and Mumbai itself, each require action now: it is essential to begin understanding and addressing this environmental crisis immediately," The Ocean Cleanup says. Cleaning up the river system will also benefit the millions of residents and communities living and working around the waterways, it adds.
The Ocean Cleanup will use its expertise in investigating and capturing plastic in rivers to help the Bharat Clean Rivers Foundation achieve its goal of combating river pollution in India. India is a major source of plastic pollution into the oceans; a peer-reviewed study found that the majority of India's most polluting rivers are located in or near Mumbai. Once preparations are finished, The Ocean Cleanup will begin by giving research help for studies on rivers across Mumbai to identify sources of garbage and find potential
"Local ownership and operation are key to this city-centric approach, and this will be core to any collaboration in India," The Ocean Cleanup says. “A plastic crisis of this scale cannot be solved by any one organisation – everyone must come together to find a range of complementary solutions to this complex problem.”
This is good news for those who like exploring rivers and coastal ecosystems. India is home to numerous rivers that historically played a pivotal role in the growth of civilisations and the establishment of trade routes. This historical significance has opened up ample opportunities for river tourism within the country, offering an immersive approach to experiencing the nation's diverse landscapes.
