|
Iboton Chingtham
Contd from previous issue
4. Tourist destinations and recreational centres in the rivers and their banks:
Many of the major rivers have beautiful waterfalls that attract thousands and millions of tourists. There are more than 30 notable waterfalls in the world and most of them have been developed into very fine tourist destinations. Among them, Angel falls in Venezuela (979 m) is the highest uninterrupted waterfall which is followed by Tugela falls (948m) in South Africa as the second highest. But Victoria Falls located between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and Niagara falls spanning the border between Ontario, Canada and USA are more popular and attractive to the tourists. Both of them carry large volumes of water and have spectacular views.
The magnificent Victoria Falls has a width of 1708m with a drop of 108m and has an amazing view while the Niagara falls has three falls- Horseshow falls (largest) on the Canadian side while American falls and Bridal Veil falls are on the American side. The combined width of Niagara falls is about 1204m and the drop varies, for Horseshoe falls is 57m and the other two falls also varies from 21 to 30m. There are also various recreational activities taken up in the rivers and their banks.
They include fishing in the form of angling, boating, swimming, regatta, white water rafting etc. which are taken up in the rivers, and hiking, jogging, bird wratching, camping, nature photography, nature education, picnicking etc. are taken up on the river banks. Such recreational activities have attracted many tourists and visitors.
Interestingly, there are also floating markets on the rivers particularly in some Asian countries, like Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. They are their traditional water-based commercial hubs where vendors on colourful wooden boats sell fishes, fruits, vegetables, local delicacies, handicrafts etc. There are also restaurants on boats mainly for the tourists. The largest and famous floating market of Thailand is Damnoen Saduak which sits on a network of cannals stemming from the 32 km long Dhamnoen Saduak canal.
It is located about 100 km. south-west of Bangkok. The best marketing time is from 7 am to 9 am. In Indonesia, Lok Baintan floating market which is about 500 years old traditional river market is one of the most iconic floating markets located in south Kalimantan. It is on the river Martapura. The best time for marketing is from 5 am to 9 am.
In Vietnam, Cai Rang floating market on the Cantho river is the largest and famous in the Mekong Delta. The best marketing time is 5.30 am to 7 am.
In Shan State of Myanmar, there are also floating markets at Inle lake in 5 day rotating market among the lakeside villages. Traders in long boats sell mainly fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers from the floating gardens, and they also sell woven textiles, like scarves, bags and traditional garments etc.
A peculiar view of the lake is the floating villages and the leg-rowing of the Intha fishermen who wrap one leg with the oar, freeing the hands to manoeuvre their boats and cast fishing nets. The markets are liveliest at the crack of dawn.
6. Life in the rivers and their banks
The rivers and their banks (riparian zones) form vibrant dynamic ecosystems that support a rich biodiversity. The riparian zones act as transitional areas where aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems meet.
The rivers harbour a variety of fishes, eels, amphibians, crustaceans, micro-organisms and aquatic plants, while in the riparian zones there are trees, shrubs, grasses and animals. Some of the fishes commonly found in the rivers are salmon, hill trout, catfish, carps, shrimps, hilsa, Wallago attu (shareng), Cirrhinus reba (khabak/ ngaton) etc. and some common aquatic plants found in the rivers are hydrilla, hornwort, water wisteria, water lilies, hyacinth, duckweed, sedge, rush etc. Some common plants found growing on the riparian zones are Salix, Ficus, Alnus, Populars, reed, grasses etc.
Some small animals found in the rivers and their banks are otters, beavers, turtles, frogs, snakes, crocodiles, alligators etc. Some birds found in the rivers and their banks are grey herons, king fishers, egrets, lapwing, common sandpiper, stork, swan, wagtail, duck etc. All the wildlife including the big animals, like elephant, lion, tiger, deer, bear, sambhar, jackel etc. depend on the rivers for their food and water. The rivers connect forests, wetlands, lagooons and floodplains in the course of their journey down to the seas and oceans. This has enabled to maitain vibrant ecosystems all along the rivers. They are practically the pathways for many animals, birds and fishes to migrate, breed or find new habitats. Moreover, they support the entire foodweb i.e. plankton and algae feed small fishes which again feed the bigger fishes, birds and animals. This is how the rivers maintain the world of organisms on the landmass of the globe.
7. Religious and cultural links with the rivers
In some religions and cultures, rivers are regarded as sacred bodies of water and they also worship them (rivers). Because the early civilisations had been developed on the river valleys as they get water, food and other requirements. So they revered the rivers as their nourishing mother. The Jordan river (251 km), as an example, is regarded as the most sacred in the Middle-East and has great religious significance in relation to the three Abrahamic faiths i.e. Judaism, Christanity and Islam.
Similarly in India, the Ganges river is considered the most sacred by the Hindus who often take holy bathe (known as Ganga Snan) in the river to cleanse them physically as well as mentally (by washing their sins). Kumbh Mela, the largest and holies spritual gathering of the Hindus held every 12 years rotating in 4 holy cities of India i.e. Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain (MP) and Nasik (Maharashtra). Millions of devotees take a holy dip in the rivers. Maha Kumbh mela, the largest religious congregation, takes place at the confluence of three rivers i.e. Ganges, Jamuna and Saraswati once in 144 years. Millions of Hindu devotees gather at the confluence of the three rivers and take holy dip in the sacred water. Ardha (half) Kumbh Mela is celebrated every 6 years in Haridwar and Prayagraj.
8. Main threats to the existence of healthy rivers and their remedial measures:
The following are the main threats to the existence of healthy rivers.
(i) Pollution : Disposal of various kinds of wastes including plastic, chemical and sewage into the rivers has badly polluted the rivers. The result is that the water becomes dirty, stinking and unsafe for use.
(To be contd)