Kohora river basin locals celebrate World Rivers Day

HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Sept 27: The village of Phumen Engti, Kohora, Karbi Anglong of Assam celebrated World Rivers Day on Sunday. Langkiri SHG and Phumen Engti Natural Resource Management Committee hosted the event which was supported by the region’s leading biodiversity conservation organisation, Aaranyak.
The event was celebrated with the traditional customs of the Karbi community related to rivers and streams. The Karbis believe that nature is God and all rivers, streams, living, non-living ones have souls protected by benevolent and malevolent deities. Every year during the Rongker or Chojun (traditional festivals), the Karbi people offerings are always given to appease them and as a sign of respect and thanksgiving for protecting nature and surroundings. Karbi’s believe the ritual would bring good fortune, good health, and prosperity to the whole village as water is an important component for all life forms.
Three waterways running through the Phumen Engti village of Kohoraso, Kohorapi, and Langkiri were honoured in a prayer ceremony performed by local priests Prem Terang and Handeswar Engti.
Dhoniram Rongphar expressed his thoughts about World River Day celebration saying, “We hope that people come out to celebrate and honour the rivers on this day. We use water from these rivers for our daily use. If we can celebrate this day every year this will increase the importance of protecting and saving our rivers.”
This event was made possible by members of the Aaranyak team of Randeep Chetia, Bhargavee Rava, and Avinash Phangcho coordinating with the Langkiri SHGs members, Dhoniram Rongphar, and Sanjit Bey.