Activities 2012 – Jalsrot Vikas Sanstha (JVS)

Launching Local Water Resources Management Group (LWRMG) in the Tinau River 2012
Submitted by editor on Fri, 08/30/2013 – 13:36
Activities Year: 2012

Tinau is one of the important rivers in Western Nepal. It originates at Palpa district and flows through the mountain, gorge and plains of Palpa and Rupandehi district of Nepal. It is a class-II, perennial and third order river. Its discharge depends upon the groundwater and surface runoff. Tinau River bifurcates into Dano and Tinau just downstream of East-West Highway and again meet at about 13 km upstream from the Indian border and is named as Danov.

There are lots of problems associated with Tinau. River Change in river morphology, bank cutting, decrease in water quality, deforestation in upstream and pollution in downstream due to human disturbance are some of these problems. Extraction of construction materials and encroachment of floodplain areas in the Tinau is common. Some protection works are also being carried out to protect the river from bank cutting and further bed level degradation by the government of Nepal. However, it is not enough and sustainable. People residing along the length of Tinau and particularly those who are near to the banks must be made aware of the disastrous effect that it will have if they would not change their various practices that result into the above problems. They in fact should feel the ownership to maintain its natural ecosystem and conserve it. Conservation programs initiated from the government should be implemented in association with the people and a participatory approach of river conservation must be started in time. Awareness programmes and establishment of powerful commission to conserve the health of Tinau River is a felt necessity.. The LWRMG-Tinau will be a good start in this respect.

The study on Tinau River was conducted by GWP Nepal/JVS with the help of a consultant. The consultant for the study explored various aspects of Tinau River at the selected stretch (from Tinau Bridge at Butwal to Tinau Bridge at Bethari) such as river exploitation, area encroachment, economic activities, development initiatives and their externalities.

On the basis of a study entitled “Assessment of Tinau River Development Efforts to launch the Local Water Resources Management Group (LWRMG), Tinau”,a training cum workshop was held for the formation of LWRMG- Tinau on 12th December, 2012. Dr. Vijaya Shrestha, Executive Member, GWP Nepal/JVS was involved in the process and made a presentation on institutional aspects of LWRMG and its execution. Mr. Som Nath Poudel, Vice-Chair, GWP Nepal/JVS provided training on water laws.

An ad-hoc committee comprising of 7 members from around the Tinau River has been formed as “Local Water Resources Management Group (LWRMG) – Tinau” which will become a platform for programming and planning of water resources in the area. In the process, the LWRMG has empowered communities, raised their confidence to speak up for their rights and question decision-makers. The committee is on the process to make a formal registration. GWP Nepal/JVS will be providing necessary guidance on their request for the purpose.

The training on water laws for the members of LWRMG has helped in capacity building to develop and implement Water Use Master Plan. The formation of LWRMG is expected to increase community awareness on water use rights and their role in efficient and sustainable use of the resources.

Formation of Local Water Resources Management Group (LWRMG) is a way to uniting people to understand, act and develop Master Plan regarding the effective use of water resources. LWRMG is a platform for programming and planning of water resources at the tertiary level.

Thus launched LWRMG -Tinau will help to:

Initiate IWRM principles at the community level
Motivate and mobilize communities for its holistic management by organizing themselves in LWRMG as a legal entity
Develop a Water Use Master Plan for optimal benefit of all stakeholders

Study on Climate Change Realities and Adaptation Practices 2012
Submitted by editor on Fri, 08/30/2013 – 13:31
Activities Year: 2012

A study entitled “Systematic Record of Climate Change realities on agricultural households/communities and coping mechanisms adopted or practices in Khokana, Lalitpur” was conducted by GWP Nepal/JVS. A workshop was organized to disseminate the findings of the study amidst policy makers, water experts, academicians and other relevant stakeholders of Nepal. The highlights of the study were the coping strategies adopted/practiced in Khokana, some of which are listed below:

Dry nursery and use of mulches to protect the seedling
Use of centrifugal pumps connected in series to lift water from river for irrigation
Increased area under vegetable cultivation during winter and spring
Optimization of use of wastewater for irrigation
Increased use of shallow tube wells and pumps

The study concluded that the effect of climatic variability on water balance in the study area has reached to a threshold. Any further stress emerging from climatic and no-climatic drivers may disturb this balance which will then have significant effect on food and water security and livelihood of the people.

Documentation of such facts provided an opportunity to look into the responses to local climate change by the people and the alternatives being created. It has enabled us to suggest the most appropriate climate smart agriculture for the farmers at local level. The relevant bodies of the Government of Nepal is expected be able to advocate for such policies and programs.

GWP Nepal/JVS was entrusted to draft the IWRM Policy for Nepal 2012
Submitted by editor on Tue, 04/10/2012 – 10:58
Activities Year: 2012

Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS), Government of Nepal entrusted the important task of preparing IWRM Policy for Nepal to GWP Nepal/JVS. A contract between WECS and GWP Nepal/JVS has been entered into on 14th March, 2012 between GWP Nepal/JVS and WECS to prepare the final draft of Integrated Water Resources Policy.

Two Village Development Committees (VDCs) on the process of formation of Local Water Parliament 2012
Submitted by editor on Tue, 04/10/2012 – 10:57
Activities Year: 2012

GWP Nepal/ JVS is in the process of implementing Local Water Parliament (LWP) in two VDCs of Ilam district of Eastern Development Region of Nepal. In this regard, it is helping the local community to develop Water Resources Master Plan in each VDC (Jogmai and Gorkhe VDC of Ilam) under the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) concept and National Water Plan 2005.

The training and interaction program on Rights and Responsibilities on Water Resources was held on 16th February, 2012. Mr. Surya Nath Upadhyay, Secretary General, GWP Nepal/JVS made presentation on Water Rights. Mr. Som Nath Poudel, Vice-Chair, briefed on the principles of IWRM whereas Dr. Vijaya Shrestha, Member (Executive Committee), presented on institutional aspects of Local Water Parliament and its execution. Mr. Hirakaji Ghale, President of Namsaling Community Development Center (NCDC), the local water partner of JVS, talked briefly on activities of LWP-Ilam and the role of NCDC on proper use and conservation of water resources. GWP Nepal/JVS distributed one of its publication “Jalsrotma Hamro Adhikar ra Kartabya” (Our Rights and Duties on Water Resources) to each of the 40 participants.

Policy Dialogue 2012
Submitted by editor on Tue, 04/10/2012 – 10:56
Activities Year: 2012

Considering that an intellectual discourse on regulated use of groundwater is timely and important, GWP Nepal/JVS and Nepal Engineering College (nec) jointly held a policy dialogue program on Groundwater Security in Kathmandu Valley on 20th March, 2012 at The Everest Hotel, New Baneswor, Kathmandu. As intended, the program brought together policy personnel and water professionals from relevant government and development organizations, academicians, researchers and students, to discuss the emerging issues facing the groundwater security and regulated groundwater use in Kathmandu Valley.

The first session was for the presentations on state of groundwater use and commercialization of groundwater by the students and faculty members atnec that led to identifying the issues facing groundwater and emerging water security concerns in Kathmandu. Dr. Hari Krishna Shrestha, Principal of Nepal Engineering College chaired the session and facilitated the program.

This second session was entirely dedicated for facilitated discussion on the regulated groundwater use in Kathmandu. Various water professionals put forth their views and comments on groundwater issues of Kathmandu Valley. Mr. Hari Dhakal, Chairperson, Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Management Board (KVWSMB) clarified the queries raised during the program and appreciated concerns and suggestions put forwarded by the participants.

GWP Nepal/JVS at Nepal National Water Week (NNWW), 2012
Submitted by editor on Tue, 04/10/2012 – 10:55
Activities Year: 2012

World Water Day (WWD) on 22th March, 2012 and World Meteorological Day (WMD) on 23rd March, 2012 were celebrated this year too with a week-long program for which NNWW Main Organizing Committee was formed under the chairmanship of Secretary of Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS). The committee comprised members from government, non-government institutions, academic institutions and business houses, GWP Nepal/JVS being one of them.

Mr. Iswer Raj Onta, Chair, GWP Nepal/JVS attended the Opening Ceremony of NNWW-2012 on 16th March. Similarly, Secretary General of GWP Nepal/JVS, Mr. Surya Nath Upadhyay chaired the session on National Symposium on “Water and Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities” on 22nd March at The Hotel Everest, Kathmandu which was jointly organized by WECS and NNWW Organizing committee 2012.

Imbibing transparency and accountability in Nepal Water Supply Corporation-Biratnagar branch (NWSCB)
Submitted by editor on Tue, 04/10/2012 – 10:54
Activities Year: 2012

GWP Nepal/JVS and Water Integrity Network, Berlin had undertaken a project “Assessment of the Nepal Drinking Water Supply Corporation-Biratnagar Branch: Functionality of the Water Supply Services”. The purpose of the study was to assess the functionality of the system and to explore the ways and means to imbibe the values of transparency and integrity in the system.

A program on Sharing of the Findings of the study was held on 25th February at Hotel Swagatam, Biratnagar, Nepal. Dr. Vijaya Shrestha shared the major findings of the study with her meticulous presentation. Mr. Surya Nath Upadhyay was the chief guest who briefed about GWP Nepal/JVS and its objectives. Mr. Donal O’Leary, Senior Advisor, Transparency International, Berlin, took part in the program and spoke few words on the short history of the approach taken in Morang. Another guest, Mr. Pashupati Pokharel, Local Development Officer, Morang, put some of his remarks on the emerging challenges on water supply due to population growth.

After the presentation by Dr. Vijaya, , the floor was open for the discussion where representatives from Nepal Water Supply Corporation-Biratnagar (Service Provider) and consumers from 17 wards of the municipality were acquainted with each other’s problems and issues. After the concluding remarks from Mr. Surya Nath Upadhyay, both parties agreed to form a group,”Samyukta Tole Nagar Samanwaya Samiti ” (Joint Co-ordination Committee) consisting of 5 members; 3 from the users and 1 each member from Biratnagar Sub-metropolitan City and NWSCB. The Committee will jointly monitor the service, share the problems and make joint plans for improvement and co-ordinate with the municipality.

The program proved to be an important step in promoting a communication culture among the service providers and users. It also has initiated a system of joint sharing of the problems and strides to face the problem.

GWP Nepal/JVS bid to publish a journal
Submitted by editor on Tue, 04/10/2012 – 10:53
Activities Year: 2012

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Media for Energy Nepal Pvt. Ltd. (MEN) and Jalsrot Vikas Sanstha (JVS) on 5th December, 2012 which will be valid for a period of 3 years. The MoU established joint ownership of MEN and JVS on HYDRO NEPAL, the journal of Water, Energy and Environment which is published twice a year (January and July). The journal was initiated on 5th June, 2007 and is the recipient of India Power Awards 2009 where it is accredited as an International Journal. It is hoped that the MoU between two parties will promote the Journal to its highest potential with a sound professional integrity and as a mark of excellence so that it could contribute to building knowledge on conservation, management and sustainable use of Nepal’s abundant water resources.

GWP Nepal/JVS submits Memorandum to Prime Minister
Submitted by editor on Tue, 04/10/2012 – 10:52
Activities Year: 2012

The Government of Nepal recently introduced a non transparent procedure for the award of hydropower development license to the developers by replacing the one which had a transparent bidding mechanism. Similarly, the Government had split the Ministry of Water Resources into two parts: Ministry of Irrigation and Ministry of Energy.

In this connection, a memorandum was handed over to Rt. Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Babu Ram Bhattarai by the members of GWP Nepal/JVS led by Mr. Iswer Raj Onta and Mr. Surya Nath Upadhyay on 22nd February, 2012. They requested the Prime Minister to provide necessary directions in order to maintain the transparent mechanism and a fair competition while bidding for the license. Similarly, they also drew his attention towards the integrated approach in water resources management and the need to re-establish the Ministry of Water Resources.