International Day of Action for Rivers 2024: How India is using Japanese Technology to Clean Rivers

Every year on 14th March, we celebrate the International Day of Action for Rivers. This day serves as a global call to action that unites communities around the world in raising awareness about the vital role rivers play in our lives and demanding their protection.

The International Rivers Organisation mentions: “The International Day of Action for Rivers is a day dedicated to solidarity – when diverse communities worldwide come together with one voice to affirm that rivers are vital and need our protection.”

The International Day of Action for Rivers is a day of both celebration and concern. This day is celebrated to understand the importance of rivers as they sustain ecosystems, provide freshwater, and nourish civilisations. 

Further, this day highlights the very real threats rivers face. Pollution, dam construction, and unsustainable water use are jeopardising the health of these vital waterways. Freshwater ecosystems are declining at an alarming rate, and access to clean water is becoming an increasing challenge for many communities.

International Day of Action for Rivers affirms that rivers needs protection. This year’s theme focuses on “Water for All”, contextually in last 9 years GOI has declared 111 National waterways & developed infrastructure in them to promote seamless movement of goods & passengers. pic.twitter.com/Z9yUJfZXEp

— Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (@shipmin_india) March 14, 2024

International Day of Action for Rivers की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ, अपने आसपास के जल-स्त्रोतों के साथ before-after की सेल्फ़ी लें, #SelfieWithWater के साथ साझा करें हमसे आज, इस प्रकार आज का यह शुभ दिन मनाएँ! #InternationalDayofActionforRivers pic.twitter.com/zn59YjiS0j

— Namami Gange (@cleanganganmcg) March 14, 2024

What is the History of The International Day of Action for Rivers? 

The International Day of Action for Rivers has its roots in activism around protecting rivers and freshwater resources. Here's a breakdown of its history:

• First Meeting of People Affected by Dams (1997): In Curitiba, Brazil, representatives from over 20 countries came together for this meeting in March 1997.
• Day of Action Established: During this meeting, participants decided to establish an International Day of Action Against Dams and For Rivers, Water, and Life.
• Date Selection: The date chosen for this day of action was March 14th, which already held significance in Brazil as their Day of Action Against Large Dams.

The International Rivers Organisation mentions: “The International Day of Action Against Dams and For Rivers, Water and Life was adopted by the participants of the first International Meeting of People Affected by Dams, March 1997 in Curitiba Brazil. Representatives from 20 countries decided that the International Day of Action would take place on March 14 – Brazil’s Day of Action Against Large Dams.”

What is the Significance of The International Day of Action for Rivers? 

The International Day of Action for Rivers holds significance for several reasons:

• Highlights River Importance: The day brings attention to the critical role rivers play in our lives. They provide freshwater for drinking, agriculture, and ecosystems.
• Raises Awareness of Threats: It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the threats rivers face, such as pollution, habitat loss, and overexploitation of water resources.
• Promotes Sustainable Management: The day advocates for sustainable practices in managing rivers. This includes ensuring equitable access to clean water and implementing policies that protect river health.
• Calls for Action: It's a day to inspire individuals and organisations to take action towards river conservation. This could involve participating in clean-up drives, supporting organisations working on river protection, or advocating for policies that safeguard these vital waterways.

READ| International Day of Action for Rivers 2024: Check Date,Theme, History and Key Facts, & More

What is the Theme of The International Day of Action for Rivers 2024? 

The theme for the International Day of Action for Rivers 2024 is "Water for All". This theme highlights the importance of ensuring equitable access to clean water resources and advocating for water rights.

The International Rivers Organisation mentions: “We’re celebrating the 27th Anniversary of this Day for Rivers by also highlighting how critical access to water is in all our lives. This year’s theme focuses on “Water for All”. Whether your community is tackling water rights, clean water access, fighting against dams, water grabs, and water privatization or removing dams and restoring rivers and fish migration, we know water is life and is meant for all.”

How India is using Japanese Technology to Clean Rivers?

India and Japan are collaborating on longer-term solutions for preventing river pollution at its source, which is sewage treatment. Experts and institutions from both countries have joined forces to demonstrate the effectiveness of a UASB-DHS integrated system for sewage treatment. This collaboration lays the groundwork for its widespread adoption across India.

Recognizing the need to validate the DHS system's performance under real-world conditions in India, a five-year research project (2011-2016) titled "UASB-DHS Integrated System: A Sustainable Sewage Treatment Technology" was launched. This joint effort between the Indian and Japanese governments received financial and technical support from JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency) under the SATREPS programme. 

This project involved several key activities:

• Building a Prototype: A DHS reactor with a capacity of 5 million liters per day (MLD) was designed and constructed at an existing 78 MLD UASB-FPU sewage treatment plant in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. This pilot system was designed to cater to the needs of an estimated 28,000 people.
• Optimising Media: Different types of polyurethane sponge media, crucial for the DHS reactor's functionality, were rigorously tested to identify the most efficient option. The procurement of the chosen media ensured optimal performance.
• Integrating the System: The newly constructed DHS reactor was seamlessly integrated with the existing UASB reactor, creating a unified sewage treatment system.
• Enhancing Research Capabilities: The existing laboratory at the Agra STP was upgraded to support ongoing research and experimentation related to the UASB-DHS system, paving the way for future advancements.
• Continuous Monitoring: The integrated system was continuously operated to assess its long-term performance in meeting the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) norms for effluent quality. 
• Pushing the Limits: The project also conducted "allowable load capacity" experiments. This involved testing whether the system could handle higher capacities (up to 10 MLD) while maintaining effluent quality. This assessed the system's ability to handle fluctuations in sewage inflow.

By undertaking these comprehensive activities, the collaborative project between India and Japan aimed to not only validate the effectiveness of the UASB-DHS system but also establish a strong foundation for its future widespread adoption across India's sewage treatment infrastructure.