Bhubaneswar: Rivers across the state are gradually losing their natural character and turning into drains due to increasing exploitation and neglect, said Odisha Environment Congress Secretary Sudarshan Das on Saturday.

Das was speaking at a session on ‘River Systems’ on the second day of Earth Again Conference 2026, organised by the Sambad Group, in the capital city. He stressed the need for a fundamental change in the way rivers are viewed and managed.

“Slowly, all rivers are turning into drains. The rivers where people bathe and swim may not survive if the present trend continues,” he warned.

Referring to the ancient Greek philosophical observation that one cannot step into the same river twice, Das said a river cannot exist without flow. According to him, maintaining the natural flow of rivers is essential for their survival.

According to him, forests and hills are the ‘water towers’ of river systems. Major rivers such as the Mahanadi, Baitarani and Brahmani originate from or are sustained by these natural ecosystems. If forests and hills disappear, the rivers too will face serious threats, he stated.

The environmental activist also highlighted the issue of excessive utilisation of river water. Every river has a certain carrying capacity, and using water beyond that capacity gradually weakens the river system, he said.

Referring to the Mahanadi basin, Das said several barrages, dams and other projects have been constructed in the upstream areas of Chhattisgarh, from where water is being used for industries, agriculture and drinking purposes.

Das called for rivers to be recognised as ‘living entities’ and cited the recognition accorded to the Whanganui River in New Zealand and the legal recognition given to the Ganga and Yamuna by the Uttarakhand High Court as examples of approaches that acknowledge the rights and ecological importance of rivers.

He advocated curbing excessive exploitation of rivers and ensuring that water use remains within the natural capacity of river systems. He also called for immediate protection of forests and hills, which he described as nature’s real ‘water towers’.

V. Ramprasad, co-founder of Friends of Lakes, who also addressed the session, raised concerns over the manner in which rivers are classified in revenue records.

He said rivers are sometimes recorded as drains in official land and revenue documents and stressed the need to verify and correct such classifications.

“A drain and a river cannot be treated in the same manner,” Ramprasad said, emphasising that rivers and water bodies must first be accorded their due respect and protection.

The speakers stressed that conserving river flows, protecting their catchment areas and preventing excessive exploitation of water are essential for ensuring the long-term survival of river ecosystems.