Environment / Rivers

Rivers cross political borders without so much as a ‘by your leave’. Which can cause some sticky situations for the humans who depend on them, as Yali Banton-Heath explains.

The world’s rivers inspire wonder and poetry. But take a closer look at what’s lurking within… Words: Vanessa Baird.

Unregulated mining has wreaked havoc on Mongolia’s waterways. A civil society movement to protect them is determined to make headway, despite facing an obstacle course. Anand Tumurtogoo reports.

A persistent, inspiring campaign to remove dams choking the Klamath River is on the verge of success. From the United States, Bruce Shoemaker recounts what it took to get there.

The Kukama people of the Peruvian Amazon say their river is alive and has rights; the authorities see it as a resource to be exploited. Stephanie Boyd tells the story of the women determined to protect it.

Vital statistics about the life support, biodiversity, pollution, and damming of rivers.

Initiatives, action, and further reading on rivers.

We need thriving rivers in order for life on Earth to flourish. But often how we treat them shows little understanding of this basic principle. Dinyar Godrej ventures into the maelstrom.

Report from Australia by Nick Rodway.

A poetic and heartfelt plea to restore a wounded planet. By Suprabha Seshan.

Tom Fawthrop reports from Southeast Asia, where a series of proposed dams could trigger a food crisis.

Vanessa Baird discovers why the Asháninka people of the River Ene are taking a hard line against dam builders – and others.