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Activities 2014

Stocktaking: Climate Vulnerability on Water Resources Sector for National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Process
Submitted by editor on Thu, 01/29/2015 – 12:37
Activities Year: 2014

JVS/GWP Nepal has prepared a document comprising of adaptation activities pertaining to climate vulnerability to water sector in Nepal. In the document, it has synthesized available knowledge on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation by identifying capacity gaps and barriers in order to help develop an enabling environment for NAP process. This document in context of NAP process is the starting point and thus directed towards identifying medium and long-term adaptation needs and answering water and climate change related questions.

It also comprises analysis on institutional mechanism, policies capacity and data and information. Step by step approach of NAPs process is also explained along with recommendations for initiatives to be undertaken to enhance the adaptive capacity of people in local as well as national level.

Study on Integrity of Hydropower Development
Submitted by editor on Thu, 01/29/2015 – 12:28
Activities Year: 2014

Under the core activity, JVS/GWP Nepal studied the integrity of hydropower development in Nepal. For this a study team from this organization inspected the sites of Trishuli III A and Upper Trishuli III A hydropower project. Both projects are of great importance from the perspective of integrity assessment. Along with the inspection, discussion was also carried out with the local people and some officials of the projects.

Similarly, a consultation workshop on “Assessment of Integrity in Hydropower Development Processes in Nepal” was held at the Union House, Anamnagar, Kathmandu on 21 October, 2014 amongst various water experts of Nepal. There were representation from Department of Electricity Development (DoED), Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Kulekhani Hydropower Project III, Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS), Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN) and Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM).

The participants appreciate GWP Nepal/JVS for venturing this study on a critical subject matter like Integrity. They provided their valuable comments and suggestions to improvise the report which could be a treasure in the realm of integrity studies.

Based upon the study and consultation, a document entitled ‘ Mapping Integrity in Hydropower Development Process with Focus in Hydropower Projects Developed by Public Sector ‘ was prepared identifying integrity risks in the major identified stages of hydropower development process, and suggesting appropriate interventions/measures to mitigate the identified integrity risks.

Preparation of Local Adaptation Plan for Action and Investigation of the Investment requirements at the Village Development Committee (VDC) level to implement LAPA
Submitted by editor on Fri, 01/23/2015 – 12:52
Activities Year: 2014

  • GWP Nepal/JVS has prepared a local adaptation plan for action in peri-urban area of Kathmandu Valley i.e. Lamatar VDC of Lalitpur district in central Nepal. The new LAPA thus prepared particularly focused on detailing out impacts of climate change and potential adaptation activities on water resources to support climate vulnerable people to adapt to climate change impact. For the validation of the LAPA, a consultative workshop was held in July 2014. The local stakeholders participated in the consultative workshop and conveyed their comments and suggestions.
  • Similarly, a dissemination workshop was also held on 31st October 2014 which was chaired by Mr. Iswer Raj Onta, Regional Chair, GWP-SAS. Mr. Pashupati Pokhrel, Local Development Officer (LDO) of Lalitpur district also marked his presence in the program.
  • Mr. Dipak Rijal, the Team Leader made a presentation on LAPA-Lamatar VDC and highlighted the immediate actions to be taken for the communities of Lamatar, especially women and marginalized groups.
  • Mr. Matrika Bhattarai, Secretary of Lamatar VDC focused the need of implementing the prioritized adaptation activities and urged the donors and other relevant agencies to consider those plans since the Block Grant of VDC receivable from District Development Committee every year is not sufficient enough to implement those activities.
  • GWP Nepal/JVS has planned to disseminate the LAPA report to relevant government and non-government agencies as well as the donors soliciting the funding/investing opportunities.

Training for Farmers on Irrigation and Agriculture
Submitted by editor on Thu, 01/22/2015 – 15:35
Activities Year: 2014

Under the WACREP activity ‘Preparation of training material/manual for farmers on conserving and promoting sustainable use of water resources with focus on agriculture and irrigation’, GWP Nepal/JVS intended to document conservation and sustainable practices on water resources sector to inform local people about best utilization of water resources for agriculture production through sustained irrigation system.

Thus a training manual was prepared by JVS/GWP Nepal for providing training to the farmers and three trainings were held in Lalitpur, Banke and Bardiya districts to enhance awareness and build capacity of the local farmers for conservation and sustainable use of water resources on agriculture and irrigation sectors.

The trainees expressed their gratitude for providing opportunity to learn about various facts of increasing efficiency of irrigation and enhancing production of crops while the trainers also got chance to learn from farmers and their perception for improving the training material. The training material used for the training has been published and can be used by relevant government and non government agencies working in the sector of water resource management.

Training on Water Resources related to Climate Change
Submitted by editor on Thu, 01/22/2015 – 14:59
Activities Year: 2014

GWP Nepal/JVS intended to complement activities of Nepal Government on Local Adaptation Plan for Action (LAPAs) by raising awareness on water resources related climate change adaptation options at the local level. Thus, it organized training under the activity ‘Implementation of 4 LAPAs with particular focus on water resources’ to build and/or enhance capacity of the local people of four Village Development Committees (VDCs) (Gola, Manau, Patabhar and Khairi-Chandanpur) of Bardia district in the Mid-Western Development Region of Nepal. The objective of this activity was to raise awareness and build capacity of the local people to address adverse effects of climate change on water resources.

The training included following information so as to help them understand basics of climate change, impact of climate change on water resources, and build capacity to adapt to climate change impacts.

  1. Climate change and its impact
  2. Nexus between climate change and water resources
  3. Highlights of the Climate Change Policy, National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) and LAPAs
  4. Climate change adaptation and potential adaptation activities for water resources
  5. Potential adaptation technologies for water resources

A training manual is also published in Nepali language incorporating all those information.

National Consultation Workshop on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
Submitted by editor on Thu, 01/22/2015 – 14:31
Activities Year: 2014

A national consultation on Water in Post 2015 Development Agenda was held on April 6, 2014 at The Hotel Everest, New Baneshwor, Kathmandu to contribute to the SDG consultation process as well as to the discussions on the post-2015 development agenda.

The Consultation was aimed at following:

  • To obtain views from 30 key countries on the post-2015 development agenda for water and sustainable development.
  • To build awareness and examine the recommendation presented in the UN-Water paper on a dedicated goal for water from the country perspective.
  • To influence the global policy dialogue to ensure water is not neglected in the future development agenda.
  • To examine implications of adopting the goal and targets.

During the workshop, five presentations were made. The first one “Purpose and Process of the National Consultation Workshop” was made by Dr. Dibya Ratna Kansakar, Executive Member of GWP Nepal/JVS while the second one was done by Mr. Gopi Mainali, Joint Secretary of National Planning Commission on “Status on Sustainable Development Goal”. Similarly, Mr. Abodh K. Mishra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development presented on “TARGET A and D: Achieve universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation”, Mr. Kamal Regmee, DWIDP on “TARGET E: Reduce mortality by (x%) and economic loss by (y%) from natural and human-induced water-related disasters” and Dr. Dibya Ratna Kansakar on “TARGET B and C: Improve by (x%) the sustainable use and development of water resources in all countries + All countries strengthen equitable, participatory and accountable water governance”.

Various water experts from governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations and donor agencies put their suggestions and concerns regarding the national priority on water sector to be reflected in the Post 15 development agenda.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Submitted by editor on Wed, 01/14/2015 – 15:46
Activities Year: 2014

The 15th Annual General Meeting of Jalsrot Vikas Sanstha (JVS)/ Global Water Partnership Nepal (GWP Nepal) was held on 28th December 2014 at Hotel Himalaya, Kupondole, Lalitpur. During the meeting, two publications of JVS/GWP Nepal ‘ Water Questions’ and ‘Water: Statistics and Information’ were launched by Mr. Iswor Raj Onta, Chair of Global Water Partnership South Asia. Then the program was followed by JVS lecture series on ‘Financing Water Sector: Challenges and Effectiveness’ by Mr. Suman Sharma, Secretary, Ministry of Finance. Master of Cermony for the program was Ms. Anju Rana, Program Officer, JVS/GWP Nepal.

Nepal: World Water Day with National Water Week
Submitted by editor on Thu, 04/17/2014 – 16:00
Activities Year: 2014

Nepal National Water Week (NNWW) 2014 was jointly organized by several governmental, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and business houses under the chairmanship of secretary of Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS), Government of Nepal. . The events started on 17 March and culminated on 23 March. The events included formal launching of the GWP Strategy 2015-2019; training to youth on GIS and Rain Water Harvesting, interaction with Constituent Assembly Members on role of water in the constitution of Nepal being drafted, visit to Nepal’s First Hydropower Project at Pharping built in 1911, Ground Water Symposium and online E-discussions on water and energy nexus. GWP Nepal/JVS, along with the financial assistance to the program, contributed technically in the successful implementation of the program.

The NNWW was joined and supported by different organizations including governmental agencies, I/NGOs, private sectors, academia and media houses including Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC)/GoN,Groundwater Development Board (GWDB)/GoN, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM)/GoN, National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), GWP Nepal/JVS, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Small Earth Nepal (SEN), Center of Research for Environment, Energy and Water (CREEW), WWF Nepal, Water Aid, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), UNICEF, Practical Action, Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO), International Research Centre for River Basin Environment (ICRE)- University of Yamanashi, One Planet Solution and Siddhartha Bank.

The Opening Ceremony of the program was held on 17 March 2014 at NTNC, Satdobato, Lalitpur. The opening ceremony was addressed by Ms. Radha Gyawali, Minister of Energy and a noted woman political leader. The program was chaired by Dr. Krishna Chandra Paudel, Secretary of Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS). It was attended by Mr. Iswer Raj Onta, the Regional Chair (GWP SAS), Dr. Vijaya Shrestha, President; Mr. Som Nath Poudel, Vice-president; and Mr. Surya Nath Upadhyay, Secretary General of GWP Nepal/JVS. President Dr. Shrestha and Secretary General Mr. Upadhyay were in the key position of the Program Organizing Committee.

On 22 March, a national workshop on Climate, Water and Energy Nexus – Identifying Gaps and Synergizing Knowledge was organized. During the workshop, Dr. Vijaya Shrestha, President of GWP Nepal/JVS formally launched the GWP Strategy 2015-2019. An interaction program with Constituent Assembly (CA) Members on Water and Energy Nexus a Nepal’s Perspective was held on 27 March at the Hotel Everest, Kathmandu chaired by the Hon. Narayan Prasad Saud, Minister, Ministry of Irrigation, Government of Nepal. This special activity was part of the extended NNWWP. Dr. Luna Bharati, Office Head, IWMI Nepal; Mr. Surya Nath Upadhyay, Secretary General, GWP Nepal/JVS and Dr. Govinda Pokhrel, Executive Director, Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC) made presentations during the program. Mr. Upadhyay presented on “Water Resources in the Forthcoming Constitution of Nepal”. The CA members representing different political parties attended the program. Mr. Shanker Bhandari from Nepali Congress, Mr. Ananda Pokhrel from the Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist l, Er. Niraj Shah and Mr. Puskar Kumar Adhikary from Rastriya Prajantra Party Nepal, Mr. Shibaji Yadav from Madeshi Janaadhikar Forum Nepal, Mr. Parsuram Tamang from Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Mr. Krishna Adhikary Secretary of Rastriya Janamorcha Nepal expressed their opinion saying the interaction program has helped them to consider the agenda of water resources more correctly in the forthcoming constitution.

In Nepal, programmatic efforts were made to internalize the World Water Day (WWD) in the national water week so that it was more functionally celebrated with the country’s requirements and priority. While doing so, due attention was given to mark the World Meteorological Day (WMD), which falls on 23 March. The very close nexus between the WWD and the WMD needs no further elaboration in this short note.

Stakeholders Consultation on “Developing a Policy Brief on Impacts of Climate Change on Water Resources”
Submitted by editor on Tue, 04/15/2014 – 15:11
Activities Year: 2014

JVS intends to support the Nepal’s UNFCCC negotiation team to develop policy brief on impact of climate change on water resources and explore opportunities to benefit from the Convention provisions such as on adaptation and from CDM (Clean Development Mechanism). The JVS is support this initiative under its Water and Climate Resilience Programme (WACREP).

A stakeholder consultation on “Developing a Policy Brief on Impacts of Climate Change on Water Resources”was organized on 20 February, 2014 at Hotel Everest, New Baneshwor, Kathmandu to solicit the inputs of relevant stakeholders. The program was chaired by Dr. Som Lal Subedi, Secretary, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment. The program had three presentations as shown in the table below.

  • Impacts of climate change on water resources Mr. Sanjaya Dhungel, Senior Divisional Engineer, Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (GoN)
  • Nepal’s priority agenda for UNFCCC negotiation and possibility of including water resources sector Mr. Gautam Rajkarnikar, Deputy Director General, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology
  • An outline of the policy brief on water resources and climate change Mr. Surya Nath Upadhyay, Secretary General, GWP Nepal/JVS

The presentations were followed by the discussion session facilitated by Mr. Bal Krishna Prasai, Member, GWP Nepal/JVS. The participants from various ministries of Nepal, I/NGOs and other individual water experts provided their valuable suggestions on how Nepal can move ahead in climate change negotiation process. The inputs will be incorporated in the Policy Brief being prepared by GWP Nepal/JVS.

Participation in India Water Week
Submitted by editor on Tue, 04/15/2014 – 15:06
Activities Year: 2013

Mr. Som Nath Poudel, Officiating Chair, GWP Nepal/JVS and Mr. Surya Nath Upadhyay, Secretary General, GWP Nepal/JVS participated in the India Water Week (IWW) 2013 held at Vigyan Bhawan, Maulana Azad road in Delhi from 8 to 12 April, 2013.

Mr. Poudel chaired a session of the seminar on “Different Capacities and Different Roles- Empowering South Asian Women for Climate Change Adaptation” on 11 April, 2013. Similarly, Mr. Upadhyay was one of the panelists in the second session “Water Cooperation; Across Sectors and Borders for the Efficient and Sustainable use of Water” in the Regional Day Programme of GWP SAS on “Improved Efficiency for Increased Resilience to Climate Change; an Integrated water Resources Management Perspective” on 12 April, 2013.