National Irrigation Seminar:2020 • Inclusive water policy and practice contributes for healthy watersheds of Nepal's river: An Experience from Tila Watershed of kalikot/Jumla Districts of Nepal in Collaboration of USAID/DAI/PANI/DANAR-Nepal (original) (raw)
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The water resources and freshwater ecosystems in the transboundary river basins of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) are a source of survival and other livelihoods opportunities for people. Though the region is known for a physical abundance of water, the reality is that most communities in the basin still live in a state of water poverty. Problems arising from water scarcity and water-induced disasters are increasing due to factors induced by climatic variability as well as anthropogenic changes. In such a situation, power inherent to social hierarchy has become a means of controlling water resources and securing access. Moreover, in many cases the increased competition for water has led some to achieve individual water goals at the cost of collective goals, creating social conflict and chaos and further increasing gender inequity in water. Water related decisions are important not only to ensure access to water, but also to gain and expand the power base that is built through accessing water. Water decisions are gendered and often in the hands of some powerful men in most societies. Access to water is often a challenge for women and marginalized members of society. Given the changing demographics of Nepal, with increased long-term male migration for remittance-based foreign employment, the overall responsibilities, including water works, have fallen on women’s shoulders. Gender concerns in water sector development have hence become more important than ever. In water scarce situations and water-induced disasters, gender sensitive water planning at local level is crucial. To make this planning process participatory and inclusive, development agencies promoted practices such as Water Use Master Plan and Water Parliament in Nepal. The Water Use Master Plan (WUMP) has been implemented since 1999. ICIMOD’s Koshi Basin Programme in partnership with HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation Nepal has been piloting the WUMPs in the mountains, hills and floodplains of the Koshi basin in Nepal since 2013 to increase the participation and role of women and marginalized groups in local water planning and decision making. However, the planning process does not necessarily generate equity and justice until and unless the process is transparent and includes the concerns and needs of different stakeholders following the principles and ethics of gender equity and good governance. Under the current system, local water planning at the village level is the responsibility of the village development committee (VDC), while at the national level, National Water Plan 2002 and National Water Strategies 2005 provide vision on the water sector. This paper examines the process of WUMP formulation and plan documents to understand how far WUMP practices have promoted gender and social inclusiveness and which areas need improvement in terms of integrating gender and social inclusion issues more effectively.
Journal of Agriculture and Environment, 2009
The paper discusses different approaches of watershed management programs implemented in South Asian countries, with special reference to Nepal based on existing literature and field experiences. Watershed degradation, particularly in mountainous areas, is critical problem in South Asian countries. A participatory approach has been adopted in watershed and natural resource management during the last decade in many developing countries. The participatory community-based watershed management approach in Nepal is viewed from two perspectives. The first, success of conservation of natural resources with formation and strengthening of the local level institutions in rural areas of the country; the second, its multiplier effects in social mobilization, women empowerment, community development and livelihood improvement as well as good governance at local level. In the present context, participatory watershed management must include not only environmental protection but also supporting poor and disadvantaged segments of society in improving their livelihoods.
Sustainability: The Journal of Record, 2017
This paper discusses the gendered roles and responsibilities in water resource management and its implications for urban water management. The results revealed that women are the primary water collectors and that the gendered nature of water collection varies among ethnic groups. Men are not involved in water collection in the Madhesi ethnic group, while they contribute to varying extent in other groups. Dry season is the most critical period for water supply in all four-study locations particularly among squatter communities. Less than 30% of the water demand is fulfilled in Squatter 1, while about 50% is fulfilled in urban areas. Conflicts related to water during collection is frequent in common water points mainly due to illegal and inequitable distribution of water. Results also demonstrated the influence of traditional reliance and informal context on women's access to and performance in the formal decision-making spheres. Women exert influence primarily in household decision making related to water, while beyond households their participation is typically very low. However, formation of water users' groups has motivated women to take on active membership and participate in water management at local and city levels.
Policies and Institutions on Water Resources-Nepal
'Water is a precious gift of nature, essential for human [sic and other creatures'] survival. Without water, life on earth cannot be sustained. Water is required for basic human needs such as drinking, cooking and bathing, for irrigation to grow crops, for hydropower to produce energy, for industry and for the environment. Water is also inherent component of the ecological chain on which all life and life-supporting systems depend. In Nepal and other Himalayan Societies, water from the mountains also has important cultural and spiritual significance.' Water Resources Strategy Nepal 2002 1. Prologue Water is the most valued natural resource Nepal possesses. In addition, it is the principle 'resource supporting the economy of Nepal' (Water Resources Strategy 2002[WRS]). So far, as per the WRS, as discussed below, the country has used only a small portion of the available water. However, its demand is increasing and would grow in the days to come. Its efficient and optimum use would not only help Nepal to build a strong economy, but could also substantially contribute to development of the countries of the Ganga Basin. Accordingly, dialogues for cooperation at the regional level have been going at the professional level for a long time even if they are yet to bear fruits. This chapter is devoted to the discussions and analysis of Nepal's water resource related policies and institutions of Nepal from the standpoint of its different uses within the country and areas of cooperation with the countries in the basin, mainly with southern neighboring country. Based on the analysis, some suggestions are also offered. Published government documents, personal experiences of the contributors and discussions with stakeholders form the basis of discussion and the analysis of the subject matter. 2. Water Availability, its current Use and demand An estimated annual runoff from the rivers (6,000 rivers and rivulets) of Nepal 'is 220 billion cubic meters, with an average annual precipitation of 1530 mm. In addition, Nepal is also endowed with extensive ground water resources. Ground water is found in most of the Terai and in some mid-hill valleys like Kathmandu and Dang' (WRS). As per WRS, 14,880 m 3 of available water was used in 2000 for different purposes, such as domestic use, irrigation, industrial use, and generating hydropower. However, the National Water Plan (NWP), a plan of action prepared by the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS) and approved by the Government of Nepal on September 7, 2005 to implement the WRS in a time bound manner, states that 15 BCM of 225 BCM of annually available water has been used for economic and social purposes. The plan further states that 'Nepal has utilized mainly medium and small rivers for different uses such as drinking water, irrigation and hydropower. The larger and perennial Himalayan Rivers, except for a few run-of the-river schemes, have been virtually left untapped'. In addition, the NWP has recognized that: (i) Around 60% of the irrigable land, (1.76 million hectares (ha) of 2.64 million ha of cultivable land of which 66% of this land is irrigable), 'has some kind of irrigation facility, and less than one- This paper has been prepared on the request of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) as input to their forthcoming book on the Ganges, which is due for publication in September 2016. I am thankful to Dr. Luna Bharati, Senior Researcher-Hydrology Water Resources of IWMI Nepal office for giving me the opportunity to prepare this paper for the use of input for the proposed book. And the paper has been prepared with the help of and inputs provided by Sri Sriranjan Lacoul, former Secretary Government of Nepal. I duly acknowledge his help and accept him as the co-author of this paper. But for all omissions and commissions as well as the analysis part, I take the whole responsibility. Also want to acknowledge the help extended by Mahendra Sapkota and all others from different agencies government and non government in collecting and preparing the paper. Thanks to all of them.
Water poverty in Western Nepal: assessment of Alital Rural Municipality in Rangun watershed
Water Practice & Technology
Water poverty is an emerging issue in Nepal. Several factors, including population growth, climate change, land-use transitions, and poorly planned road construction, significantly impact water quality and quantity. Water poverty in Alital Rural Municipality, Dadeldhura, in Rangun Watershed is examined in this study. Elements of the water poverty index (WPI) were used – (i) access, (ii) resource, (iii) use, (iv) capacity, and (v) environment. The WPI was determined as 57, indicating a medium-low level of water poverty. The WPI for the various wards, the smallest administrative units, ranged from 54 to 64. The environment component yielded the highest score, the use component the lowest. Water use for household and agricultural purposes was negligible compared to other uses. Effective water management plans are essential for increasing household water use and consumption in the watershed. The WPI can be used as an integrated tool for water resource management at various scales, from ...
Riverbed water extraction and utilization of Rural Communities Kavre, Nepal
IEEE-SEM, 2020
"Agricultural field needs a proper amount of water, fertilizers, sunlight, temperature, and soil components. Irrigation and its different means are applied for the water supply in crops. During rainy season people use rainwater whereas in dry season explore a different alternative method to extract water. This case study Jhikhu river watershed assesses the measures adopted by local people in the dry season, for the purpose of collecting and pumping water in the agricultural land. 150 households through structured questionnaire collected primary data. From a socioeconomic analysis, these alternative methods provide a framer option for increasing their productivity and income. One approach is taken for developing the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI): the first approach the LVI was calculated as a composite index comprised of seven major components. It would be the framework for implementing sustainability programs and policies".
Traditional Water Resource Use and Adaptation Efforts in Nepal
2016
Rapid population growth, unplanned urbanization and the drying up of traditional water resources have caused water scarcity in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. The impact of climate change has further exacerbated the increasing problem of water scarcity. Traditional water resources such as stone spouts and wells play an important role in meeting the increasing water demand in the Kathmandu Valley. This paper examines water use and conservation efforts of traditional water resources, especially stone spouts, which have been practiced over many centuries in the Kathmandu Valley. This study used qualitative inquiry to inductively generate data from fieldwork through interviews with stakeholders and the observation of 64 stone spouts in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur districts. The study reveals that there is not adequate attention given by the state and non-state authorities to the conservation of traditional water resources, despite their high potential to contribute to climate chang...
Water Security and Inclusive Water Governance in the Himalayas
New Angle: Nepal journal of social science and public policy, 2020
How does a social justice framing help understand local peoples' claims over natural resources? 9 How do power relations shape water access and distribution between core and fringe areas in Nepali towns ? 9 What dynamics of conflict over water resources are emerging in the urbanising mid-hill towns of Nepal? 9 How are civil-society groups responding to large dam projects in the Eastern Himalaya region of India? 9 What issues and opportunities the newly formed local governments in Nepal are facing in implementing inclusive water governance ? 9 How can participatory community engagement transform gender relations in agriculture and water management? 9 How do agrarian structures affect groundwater access for irrigation in Nepal's Tarai Madesh? 9 How can local experts contribute to inclusive water governance? 1. Research articles: should be roughly 6000-7000 and include an abstract of 250-300 words. 2. Opinion pieces can be between 2000-3000 words with summary of 100 to 150 words [key message]. 3. Spelling should be in the UK English. 4. Articles should be in an MS Word compatible format, with a font size of 12, and 1.5 line spacing. 5. Short quotations should use single quotation marks, while longer quotes should be indented. 6. Photos can be included, but should be no more than 4×6 inches, and will be published in black and white.
New Angle Nepal Journal of Social Science and Public Policy, 2019
We consider water security as a vision which can be achieved through the means of inclusive water governance. This perspective is strongly rooted in a social and environmental justice perspective which uncovers the multiple relational ties through which diverse and differently powerful actors interact among themselves and with the environment. The Himalayan region offers an urgent context to explore water security questions deeply embedded in contested political fields. A number of governance challenges prevent diverse Himalayan communities to have reliable and equitable access to water. This Special Issue deals with disparities and inequalities in access to and the governance of water resources in the lower Himalayas, particularly in Nepal and India. The papers in this Issue examine conflicts and contestations over water as well as the impact of growing water insecurity on rural, peri-urban and urban communities. Most importantly, contributors examine the way in which diverse struggles over water could be addressed by more inclusive and climate adaptive water governance reforms. We hope that the contributions in this Special Issue open up further scientific and policy debates on the challenges around inclusive water governance, as well as opportunities for contextualised understandings of water security. Collectively, this Issue points to some important directions for water security in the lower Himalayan region, including transformative pathways of change driven by engaged actors concerned with greater social and environmental justice.