Rivers are increasingly becoming the focus of disputes around the globe: experts acknowledge that wars of the future are likely to be fought over access to water. This riveting series journeys to the most exotic and dangerous rivers including, the Amazon, the Ganges, the Congo, the Euphrates in Iraq, and the River Jordan. Host Ben Anderson leads us on a journey through some of the world's most disputed areas, meeting with those living near and on the river.

EPISODES: 

Amazon
Starting his journey in the Andes, Ben falls ill with altitude sickness at the source of the river, trains with elite police units, and joins a group of landless peasants who mount a midnight land takeover from rich farmers.

The Ganges
In India, Ben visits the fast-melting glacier at the river's source and the holy city of Varanasi where the sheer volume of burials has turned the Ganges into a health hazard. Further downriver he finds that tiger conservation is having some alarming effects on the local village populations.

Euphrates
An official visit to the Attaturk Dam brings the arrival of secret service agents intent on stopping the team from filming. Ben also joins British soldiers on exercise with the Iraqi navy and travels through the famous marshlands destroyed by Saddam Hussein.

The Jordan
Ben meets devout Christians at the site of Jesus' baptism on the Jordan river. He is also caught in a riot as Palestinians and Israelis fight over the new security wall that may separate Palestinian farmers from their land and water.

Congo
Here Ben talks to passengers waiting on a ferry that has never left Kinshasa's port and soldiers extorting taxes from river traders under the nose of the UN.

LEARN MORE:

The BBC interviews host Ben Anderson about this series.
Visit the BBC’s Holidays in the Danger Zone page, with full transcripts.