The International Day of Action for Rivers is observed every year on March 14 and this year it will be celebrated on Thursday. This year's theme is "Water for All". Water is essential for life and should be shared by all, regardless of the issues your community is facing: water rights, access to clean water, fighting dams, water grabs and privatisation, or removing dams and restoring salmon runs.The International Day of Action Against Dams and For Rivers, Water, and Life was approved at the first International Meeting of People Impacted by Dams in March 1997 in Curitiba, Brazil," according to internationalrivers.org. On March 14, river experts from 20 different nations announced the "Day of Action for Rivers". The aim of the participants was to form a coalition against the degradation of ecologically sensitive water bodies, rivers and watersheds.As a global forum to promote the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of rivers, the International Day of Action for Rivers is of paramount importance. Every year on March 14, environmentalists, communities and politicians come together to commemorate the importance of rivers in sustaining ecosystems, biodiversity and human livelihoods.

The day draws attention to the need to address issues such as pollution, habitat degradation and over-exploitation while encouraging the adoption of laws and policies that ensure the long-term health and vitality of rivers. This day aims to promote better stewardship of these invaluable natural resources for present and future generations by inspiring positive change through education, advocacy and collective action.