On May 2, 2008, BITM, Kolkata inaugurated an exhibition “Rivers” consisting of visual panels, interactive exhibits, videos, multimedia kiosks and matching games & quiz, developed by National Council of Science Museums.

The Introduction section deals with the development that has taken place in the areas located near the river which provides water for industries, agriculture, commercial, aquaculture and domestic purposes and also highlights the issues related to the use, overuse and distribution of river water. Other sections are ‘Rivers as Physical Systems’, ‘India: A Land of Great Rivers’, ‘The Human Impact’, and ‘Water Wars: Too Little For Too Many’.

The section on ‘Burning Issues: How Real Are They’ deals with the social issue of rehabilitation of people displaced by large hydro-electric projects, the physical problem of saving river channels from excessive silting and pollution, the threat to the Ganga due to melting of the Gangotri glacier and the resulting invasion of Sea into the Ganges delta etc.

“Act Now” section makes the visitors aware of the urgent need to take an informed and judicious approach in managing great rivers and to save the most precious freshwater sources and ecosystems.