Meeting Nepal's water challenges
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The erratic distribution of water resources and the uncertainty of climate patterns, population growth, and anthropogenic activities have left water resource planners and policymakers grappling in recent years. Although Nepal has emphasised the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in its National Water Resources Strategy, National Water Plan, and other water-related policies, it still lacks a proper institutional arrangement and plan implementation framework to address IWRM across the water resources sector. As a result, Nepal's effort to address several water-related challenges, including water scarcity, deteriorating water quality, and water-induced disasters remains futile. Therefore, there is a need to restructure the institutional arrangement and implementation mechanism to enable effective IWRM practices and ensure sustainable management of the country's water resources. The River Basin Planning report being prepared by the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS) has the potential to be a pivotal document that could shape Nepal's water resources management in a significant way.
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Nepal's focus on the water resources sector has been primarily on water utilisation and infrastructure development, with less attention to water management and conservation plans and programmes in terms of both scale and budget allocation. Without a greater emphasis on water management and conservation, the country may face significant challenges in meeting its future water needs and ensuring water security for its citizens.
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Nepal has been globally praised for its remarkable success in community forestry, but despite various policy provisions and programmes, the community's involvement in water management has been declining in recent years. Given the current changing socio-economic and political circumstances, it is imperative to reconsider water management strategies that keep communities at the core. The 2020 Water Resources Policy of Nepal outlines 11 strategies to achieve sustainable and optimal use of water resources to support the nation's socio-economic transformation. These strategies are not only tailored to address Nepal's water resources challenges but are also aligned with global trends, making them crucial for achieving sustainable and optimum utilisation of water resources. The effectiveness of these strategies, however, hinges on the timely implementation of corresponding acts and regulations as well as institutional strengthening.
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Appropriate interventions at the local and national levels can effectively address many of Nepal's challenges in sustainable water resources management, and international cooperation should be reserved for tackling issues that exceed national capacity. To attract global attention and secure financing for water-related initiatives, Nepal must focus on developing reliable water governance, implementing innovative ideas, enhancing capacity building, and strengthening institutions. By doing so, the country can demonstrate its commitment to effectively managing its water resources and gain the trust and support of the international community. Nepal needs to do its homework in these areas to build a solid foundation and be better positioned to address the challenges of water scarcity and climate change. The international community is looking for reliable partners committed to finding innovative solutions, and Nepal has an opportunity to demonstrate its potential in this regard.