Riparian zones are among the most valuable ecosystems on the earth. They act as the ecological engineers that improve river health through delivering a range of ecosystem functions. Stream bank stabilization, pollutant and sediment buffering, temperature regulation, provision of energy to river food webs and communities, groundwater recharge and provision of ecological corridors and habitat for wildlife, are among major ecosystem functions of riparian zones that play a great role in river health. Besides these ecosystem functions, riparian zones also provide various ecosystem goods and services for human well-being. But in the current scenario, riparian zones are under severe threat due to agricultural activities, urbanization, river flow alteration, overexploitation, climate change, pollution, and biological invasion. In the present and probable future scenarios of declining river health and global environmental changes, there is a pressing need of an integrated approach for managing riparian zones. This review article aims to advocate an integrated approach for riparian zone management based on various components such as riparian condition assessment, policy framework, stakeholder’s participation, management practices, legislation, and awareness. Authors also discussed riparian zones in context of their concepts, features, functions, and threats.

河岸带是地球上最有价值的生态系统之一。他们充当生态工程师，通过提供一系列生态系统功能来改善河流健康。河岸带的主要生态系统功能是河岸区的主要生态系统功能，其中包括河岸稳定，污染物和沉积物缓冲，温度调节，向河网和社区提供能量，地下水补给以及为野生生物提供生态走廊和栖息地等。 。除了这些生态系统功能外，河岸带还为人类福祉提供了各种生态系统产品和服务。但是在当前情况下，由于农业活动，城市化，河流流量变化，过度开发，气候变化，污染和生物入侵，河岸地区正受到严重威胁。在当前和可能的未来河流健康状况下降和全球环境变化的情况下，迫切需要一种综合方法来管理河岸带。本文旨在提倡基于河岸状况评估，政策框架，利益相关者的参与，管理实践，立法和意识等各个方面的河岸区管理综合方法。作者还根据其概念，特征，功能和威胁来讨论河岸带。政策框架，利益相关者的参与，管理实践，立法和意识。作者还根据其概念，特征，功能和威胁来讨论河岸带。政策框架，利益相关者的参与，管理实践，立法和意识。作者还根据其概念，特征，功能和威胁来讨论河岸带。