INTRODUCTION
RSA (Rafting Sports Association) is a non-profit organization formed to promote rafting as Olympic sport and to restore, conserve and protect the rivers of the country through positive action and education along with maintaining the cultural integrity of local riverside communities. It was established (in 2016) by a group of concerned river rafting companies who recognized the alarming rate of ecological and cultural damage that was taking place on the rivers of Pakistan. RSA is one of its kinds working with dedication for the conservation of the Rivers of Pakistan. In this connection RSA organized the first National Children River Conservation (NCRC) in March 2017.
National Children River Conservation (NCRC)
River systems are the world’s ultimate commons. Their waters, which are essential to all life, provide food, water for drinking and bathing, transportation, irrigation, and hydropower. They also have been used throughout human history to carry off our waste, transporting our household, agricultural, and industrial effluents downstream. If we do not overload them, streams and rivers are capable of processing the pollutants we discharge into them while continuing to provide food, clean water, and habitat for wildlife.
In view of the immense importance of the rivers and to honor our care for each other and the planet, river lovers around the world come together once a year on March 14. This day marks the International Day of Action for Rivers. Every year, over 120 community groups take action for rivers in over 40 countries. Year 2017 was marked the 20th anniversary of this special day dedicated to rivers.
RSA is preserving Pakistan’s cultural heritage and developing environmentally responsible river tourism industry since its inception in 2016. It has been organizing various events, activities and awareness camps at the various places in Pakistan to aware people regarding the degrading condition of the rivers in Pakistan and for the need of their conservation. To raise awareness among all river users about the need to conserve the river and develop an economical and environmentally sustainable river tourism industry, it also hosts action oriented 7 Days National Children River Conservation (NCRC) program. It aims to conserve and preserve our all the Rivers that, despite of being huge international attraction, are under threat from damming and other unfriendly environmental practices.
Under this program, more than a hundred children from all parts of Pakistan are taken to river areas of Pakistan every year in March. During the Meet children undertake eco study projects in the target area along with other activities, aiming at environmental awareness, conservation and significance of rivers in the eco-systems. At the end of the field visit, a Children’s River Forum is organized where participating children share their observations and experiences with the concerned government officials, and general public.
OBJECTIVES OF RSA’S NCRC PROGRAM
1. FOR RIVERS
- Increasing public awareness through workshops, seminars and special rafting trips to policy makers, journalists, students and other stakeholders.
- Development of the riverside community.
- River-guide training on environmentally sound rafting and camping practices.
- Conducting river restoration projects such as beach cleanup and tree plantation.
- Networking with national and international groups and lobbying on the behalf of Pakistan’s river environment, etc
2.FOR OUR COMMUNITIES
- To identify and develop riverside conservation and community projects.
- To educate village communities about the causes and effects on river due to water pollution and degradation.
- To raise awareness for conservation and community projects along the rivers.
- To ensure that the community alongside the river benefits directly from income generating activities
- To develop a sense of affiliation and stewardship towards nature.
- To share experiences and develop long-term linkages with nature and environment protection
3. FOR THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
- To maintain and enhance the natural environment alongside the rivers.
- To promote and implement conservation activities on Pakistan’s rivers.
- To endeavor to find an ecological balance between human needs and wants and the frail river ecosystems.
4. FOR RAFTING INDUSTRY
- To promote sensible and ecologically sustainable rafting, kayaking and cannoning practices for Pakistan’s rivers.
- To work with partner organization of similar interest for the benefit of the rivers, river communities and rafting industry
In short, RSA aims to extend its conservation and preservation activities to the international arena to improve and sustain the river conservation programs in Pakistan. It also seeks for the affiliation with the International river conservation communities as it believes that it is important for all the communities to have a common goal of conservation and protection of rivers from destruction.
NCRC Camp Activities
- Camp Setting
- Beach cleanup drive
- River conservation Debate
- River Run (25Km)
- Tree plantation
- Map Reading
- Ropes and Knots
- Camp Game Time
- Zoo Visit
- Camp Cooking
- Star Gazing
- Bonfire
- Morning Walk and Bird Watching
- Treasure Hunt Competition
- Certificate Presentation