Impact of the Ecological Environment on Rivers in the Light of theRises and Falls of Ancient Civilizations

摘要

Rivers are the cradle of civilizations. Historically, civilizations and rivers come and go synchronously. The development of every nation can be identified with rivers. In the course of development of civilizations , every step of human progress is inseparable from the nurturing by rivers. All the four great ancient civilizations of the world were the blessing of rivers. Ecological civilization is the basis for all the other civilizations. To sustain the relative advantages of mankind over ecological environment, man must bring their conduct into conformity with the laws of nature. Any human intention to conquer nature can only destruct the ecological environment which mankind depends upon for its survival. Once the ecological environment is destructed, civilizations will also decline. The fundamental reason for the disappearance of the ancient Egyptian, Babylonian and Indian civilizations was the destruction of ecosystems—the foundation for human survival. The river is a living thing, as many other natural lives, so only when the normal metabolism is maintained, the river can keep a healthy life. The sole approach for mankind to achieve sustainable development is to learn to co — exist with nature in harmony and keep rivers healthy.