Dancing and Stumbling Rivers

Rivers are complex fluvial systems that are often misunderstood simply as channels of water. But anyone who has observed free flowing rivers, will inherently know that it is so much more. The river contains water, yes, but also energy, sediments, microscopic to mega animals, plant life, and beyond. It is this interplay of elements that makes rivers move, and in turn our rivers shape landscapes / riverscapes. We have however created pits and paths and walls that are making our rivers stumble. While some parts of the world have realised this folly and are preparing for course correction, we in India are committed to repeat the same follies.

Siddharth Agarwal will be speaking on the challenges faced by our rivers, based on his experience of walking 1000s of kilometres along India’s rivers, and from leading projects like India Sand Watch that are working to protect India’s rivers from destructive sand mining. He will also emphasise on the relationship between people and rivers, and how larger community building inclined towards the environment is crucial. This community building is a crucial component of Veditum’s work.

This conversation will engage with these ideas through a mix of activities, learning through slides and stories, followed by an open discussion.

Siddharth Agarwal has been walking across India and along India’s rivers, attempting to document and bring stories of marginalised communities and the environment into the mainstream. Since 2014, he has walked 6000+ kms, including the lengths of the rivers Ganga and Ken. He is the founder of Veditum India Foundation where he is working to transform the environmental governance landscape in India.