Rivers are lifelines for Myanmar's communities, providing water, supporting livelihoods, and connecting towns. On World Rivers Day, which falls on Sept. 28 this year, their importance and the need to protect them for future generations are highlighted.

"Rivers provide water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning, making them essential for our survival," an official from the Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems (DWIR) under the Ministry of Transport and Communications said.

"Rivers are vital for agriculture, transportation, economy, and daily life. It is our responsibility to protect them. If we fail to preserve rivers, they may disappear, and future generations will bear the consequences," she said.

The official explained that rivers support communities in multiple ways. Economically, they provide a low-cost and efficient mode of transportation, carrying large amounts of freight, she said.

In agriculture, rivers are equally important. Since Myanmar gets most of its rainfall mainly during the rainy season, dams are built along rivers to store water. During the dry season, this water is released to irrigate farmlands and support crop production, she said.

People whose livelihoods depend on rivers expressed how rivers support them. U Bo Kyi, a freight supervisor from Monywa township in Sagaing region, said, "My family has depended on the Chindwin River for our livelihood since my grandparents' time. By using river routes, we can trade, communicate, and exchange cultures."

"As the world recognizes World Rivers Day, it is important for young people to realize why rivers must be preserved and how they support communities in daily life," he added.

Thein Myint, a 48-year-old ferry driver, said, "I have been driving a ferry at the Sint Oh Dan ferry terminal, connecting Yangon and Dala, for about ten years, to support my family of four. My livelihood depends on the river."

"Many people also rely on the river for work, and it creates a lot of job opportunities. That's why rivers are so important for the community. For ordinary people, using the river is affordable and makes carrying freight much easier. It truly supports us," he said.

Thiha Zaw, 32, a porter, said, "I carry rice bags every day to support my family at the Sint Oh Dan ferry terminal. It is hard work, but the river gives us jobs and keeps the community moving. Rivers benefit not just me, but everyone in the community who depends on them."

Myanmar has over 500 rivers and creeks, with major ones including the Ayeyarwady River, Chindwin River, and Sittaung River. Despite their importance, these rivers face many challenges, including erosion and floods in the rainy season and drought or low water levels in the dry season, the DWIR official said.

"DWIR is working to protect the rivers and reduce these challenges. We make sure ships can carry loads along river routes safely, and we also take measures to prevent the loss of people's homes and lands in case of land erosion," she said.

Communities also play a role in river conservation. People should avoid throwing trash into rivers, fishermen should avoid fishing in prohibited areas, and illegal digging of riverbanks must stop, she said.

"Water is life, and rivers are our main source of fresh water. They are the lifeline of society, and without them we cannot survive," she said.

Devi Thant Sin, a 78-year-old environmentalist, said the Ayeyarwady River is described as the "mother river" of Myanmar.

She said that, just like the Ayeyarwady River, all rivers that support people's lives are invaluable and must be safeguarded from generation to generation.

"We see rivers as living beings, as valuable as life itself. Everyone who lives on this land and drinks this water has the responsibility to preserve the rivers that sustain us," she added.