Some of the world's biggest rivers are drying out, according to the global conservation group WWF.

Its report, World's Top Rivers at Risk, lists the top ten rivers that are fast dying as a result of climate change, pollution and dams.

Five of the ten rivers listed in the report are in Asia - Yangtze, Mekong, Salween, Ganges and Indus.

Europe's Danube, Africa's Nile-Lake Victoria and the Murray-Darling in Australia also make the list.

Jamie Pittock, director of the WWF global freshwater programme, said: "All the rivers in the report symbolize the current freshwater crisis, which we have been signalling for years.

Jamie Pittock, WWF: "All the rivers in the report symbolize the current freshwater crisis, which we have been signalling for years."

"Poor planning and inadequate protection of natural areas mean we can no longer assume that water will flow forever.

"Like the climate change crisis, which now has the attention of business and government, we want leaders to take notice of the emergency facing freshwater now not later."

According to the report, dams along the Danube River - one of the longest flowing rivers in Europe - have already destroyed 80 per cent of the river basin's wetlands and floodplains.

Over-extraction for agriculture, climate change, pollution and shipping are other major threats affecting some of the world’s most iconic rivers.

The WWF report calls on governments to better protect river flows and water allocations in order to safeguard habitats and people's livelihoods.

"Conservation of rivers and wetlands must be seen as part and parcel of national security, health and economic success," Pittock added.

"Emphasis must be given to exploring ways of using water for crops and products that do not use more water than necessary.

"The freshwater crisis is bigger than the ten rivers listed in this report but it mirrors the extent to which unabated development is jeopardizing nature's ability to meet our growing demands.

"We must change our mindset now or pay the price in the not so distant future."