River Rights: A United Approach to Improve Sustainable Practice.

Book/article details: 3887 words. 25 x size A4 pages with 7 images and cations.

Read the full article as a blog post:

https://fivehousepublishing.com/2021/10/07/river-rights-a-united-approach-to-improve-sustainable-practice-2/

https://fivehousepublishing.com/2021/10/07/river-rights-a-united-approach-to-improve-sustainable-practice-2/

Overview

From a sustainability perspective, this article investigates the views of three prominent cultures: Hinduism, Māori World view (New Zealand’s indigenous people), and Christianity. By comparing the different cultures or perspectives, the concept of giving rights to natural features like rivers are discussed. However, there are many more world views – or religions – to consider; the three mentioned are used to speak on behalf of all the different perspectives or opinions in our world. The three views contrast the different approaches or reasoning when interpreting the idea of river rights. Understanding the different philosophical views or premises from which people view the world – or reality – is essential. In this article, I call for a unified approach to accept others’ perspectives and views; to develop an attitude of working together for the environment. The world is a global village, and it is challenging to unify diverse ethnic groups, cultures, and races in a specific country or region. In this article, the focus is the rights of rivers and the responsibilities that follow.

At the start, we will look at the Hinduism perspective and specific the Ganges River of India. Secondly, the Māori World view will be explored, and the rights of the Whanganui River – awarded in 2014 (New Zealand) will be discussed. Finally, a Christian or Biblical view will be investigated.

Varanasi, Manikarnika Ghat (photo no 2) – Cremation of the dead (Northern India). The photo was taken by Arian Zwegers (Flickr) – December 21, 2008.