Abstract

• Rivers as natural resources of immense importance symbolize life on Earth and constitute the core component of the environment. The world faces formidable challenges to meet the increasing demand for water, failing water quality, environmental pollution and associated impacts, and international conflicts over transboundary watercourses. There are various factors individually and collectively responsible for river pollution such as domestic and industrial wastes, pesticides, agricultural runoff and contaminated groundwater which are some of the major sources of river pollution, while upstream withdrawal and diversion of flow, insufficient rainfall during winter and irrigation also have impacts. The quality and quantity of rivers is deteriorating due to over consumption and mismanagement. Pollution growth and increasing standards of quality of life have an impact in this regard. These situations greatly influence the sustainable management perspective of inland rivers. The proper utilization of rivers is an emerging issue that demands national and international concerns as they are important in safeguarding the quality of life and in promoting sustainable development.