Water Resources in Nepal

Ashok Parajuli Forest Officer

Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation

NAMASTE and WELCOME

Table of Content

• Government Policy, Legislation Regarding Water Resource

• Institutional framework• Irrigation Schemes and Farmer Managed

Irrigation Schemes.• Water Resource Management

Government Policy, Legislation Regarding Water Resource

Background : About 67% of the freshwater is used in irrigation for the production of food grains worldwide. One in three people are already facing water shortages (IPCC,2007).Nepal has abundant water resources, with annual discharge of total 150 billion m3, and capable of irrigating 6-8 MT/ha. Hydropower potential is 83000 MW. Out of this, 45610 MW have been identified as economically feasible (WECS 2011)Less than 8% of the country’s water potential is used for irrigation (WECS, 2011)

History of Irrigation Schemes Agrarian communities in the Terai used to involve in

irrigation development and management much before the 6th century B.C.

In 17th Century, a number of Raj Kulo were built with the initiative and financial support from the state.

During early period of irrigation development, farmers themselves used to divert water from streams and rivers to farm lands

Between 19th a first half of 20th century, a large number of irrigation facilities were already developed by local farmers by using their local resources.

Its planned development began only after 1951. The Department of Irrigation (DOI) was established in 1952.

The 7th five-year plan (1985 - 90) brought a major change in irrigation development

Nepali Laws in Chronological Orderi) Essential Commodity Protection Act 1955 (2012 BS)• Deems drinking water an essential commodity and strictly

protects drinking water.• Prohibits any unauthorized use or misuse, stealing,

damaging etc. of drinking water.ii) Muluki Ain 1963 (2020 BS)• Customary right over water is codified by Muluki Ain,

2020.• Sets out the order of priority of use of water for irrigation.• The right to access on drinking water and irrigation was

based on prior use i.e. first come first service. • Regulates traditional farmer managed irrigation systems.iii) Soil and Watershed Conservation Act, 2039(1982) • Provision of declaration of conserved watershed area

Nepali Laws in Chronological Orderiv) Nepal Water Supply Corporation Act 1989 (2046 BS)• Establishes the Nepal Water Supply Corporation as the

perpetual, autonomous government controlled corporation responsible for the supply of drinking water.

• Prohibits certain acts and provides penalties/punishment for violation.

v) Water Resource Act 1992 (2049 BS)• Declares the order of priority of water use i.e; (a) Drinking and

domestic use (b) Irrigation (c) Agricultural uses such as animal husbandry and fisheries (d) Hydroelectricity (e) Cottage industry (f) Navigation (g) Recreational use and (h) Other uses

• Vests ownership of water in the State.• Provides for the formation of water user associations and

establishes a system of licensing.• Prohibits water pollution.

Nepali Laws in Chronological Ordervi) Electricity Act 1992 (2049 BS)• Governs the use of water for hydropower production.• Establishes a system of licensing.• Sets out the powers, functions and duties of a liscence holder.• Provides certain financial incentives for license holders.• Sets out the powers of the government. vii) Water Resource Regulation 1993 (2050 BS)• Sets out the procedure to register a Water User Association

and to obtain a license.• Establishes the District Water Resource Committee.• Sets out the rights and obligations of Water User

Associations and licence holders.• Deals with the acquisition of house and land and

compensation.

Nepali Laws in Chronological Orderviii) EPA, 1995 (2053 BS) and EPR, 1997 (2054 BS)• Requires certain persons/bodies to conduct an EIA or

IEE.• Lists the water related projects required to conduct an

EIA or IEE.• Deals with the control of water pollution and pollution

control certificate Governs the use of water for hydropower production.

ix) Drinking Water Regulation 1998 (2055 BS)• Regulates the use of drinking water • Provides for the formation of Drinking Water User

Associations and sets out the procedure for registration.• Deals with licensing of use drinking water.• Deals with the control of water pollution and

maintenance of quality standards for drinking water.

Nepali Laws in Chronological Orderx) Local Self Governance Act 1999 (2055 BS)• Establishes a decentralised governance structure• Sets out the powers, functions and duties of the VDC,

Municipality and DDC in relation to water and sanitation.

Policies/Strategies /Rules : Water Resource Strategy, 2002 AD Drinking Water Rule, 2055 BS Rafting Rule, 2063 BS Irrigation policy, 2070 BS

INSTRUCTIONAL FRAMEWORKS

Irrigation Schemes and Farmer Managed Irrigation Schemes

Types Irrigation Systems

• On the basis of Development– Traditional farmer irrigation systems

developed, owned, managed by communities

– Traditional farmer system supported by Government

– Government developed surface irrigation systems

– Government developed tube well irrigation schemes

– Individual farmer owned and operated tube wells and pumps

Types Irrigation Systems

• On the basis of Management–Farmers managed irrigation system (FMIS) such

as traditional system–Agency managed irrigation systems (AMIS) such

as those operated by the Government through the Department of Irrigation (DoI)– Jointly managed irrigation systems (JMIS) run by

Government and Users through mutual cooperation and understanding–Private irrigation Systems (PIS) which are

operated and maintained by big farmers

Irrigation status

Geographic region

Total area (1000ha)

Irrigated as % of

cultivated

Year round irrigated as

% of irrigatedCultivated Irrigable Irrigated Year round Irrigation

Terai 1360 1338 889 368 65 41

Hills 1054 369 167 66 16 40

Mountains 227 60 48 18 21 38

Total 2641 1767 1104 452 42 41

Irrigation potential and development in Nepal (WECS,2003 cited in WECS 2011)

Farmer Managed Irrigation System

A self-organized System • Farmers collectively construct

and govern their systems• Make decisions on service area,

water allocation rules, other necessary rules collectively

Equitable and judicious allocation of irrigation water

Good governanceGoverning FMIS

Irrigation infrastructures Water sharing arrangement

Salient Features of FMIS Strong social bond and trust Maintenance and resource mobilization Conflict settlement

There is the provision of Mauja Muktiyars (Village level staffs)

Chhatis Mauja nominates six members and Sorha Mauja nominates five members from their respective system level executive committees.

The committee has also nominate Meth Muktiyars(chief staff) and one Chaukidar(Watchman)

There may also have the provision of Village watchman (not everywhere). He plays the crucial role in the exchange and dissemination of the information.

– FMIS has Mauja level general assemblies. Salient Features of FMIS

High MountainIntake diversions are of rock fill with mud mortar walls, canal have slate lining with mud mortar baseDue to leakage only about 10% of the flow is received at actual command areaThis has been modernized with HDP pipe conveyance and plastic lining

Mid HillsComprised of simple brush wood diversion and open earthen canal system up to the command area. Intake structures, canal lining, cross drainage structures for improved system

TeraiDiversion structures are built with an earthen bund with shrubs, logs, stones. Modernization through concrete diversion head works and masonry structures

Management for: Hydropower, Household and other Uses by State and Communities

Introduction • Water resources are sources of water that are potentially useful. • Uses of water

include agricultural, industrial, household, recreational and activities.

• Four major river basins : Koshi , Gandaki, Karnali, and Mahakali

• Avg. annual precipitation - 1530 mm • Total surface water - 220 billion m3 • Nepal possesses about 2.27 % of world fresh water • 80 % of rainfall in summer ( June - September ) • 20 % of rainfall in winter ( October - May )

Water Resource Management

• Water resource management is the activity of planning, developing, distributing and managing the optimum use of water resources.

• Ideally, water resource management planning has regard to all the competing demands for water and seeks to allocate water on an equitable basis to satisfy all uses and demands.

• Although Nepal has 225 BCM of water available annually, only a small part of it (estimated at 15 BCM) has so far been utilized for economic and social purposes.

• Until now, Nepal has utilized mainly medium and small rivers for different uses such as drinking water, irrigation and hydropower.

• Most of the drinking water systems in the hill areas are gravity flow systems using natural spring water.

• The Water Resources Management Programme (WARM-P) evolved in the year

2001 by incorporating the substantial experience and learning accumulated by its

predecessor programmes, the Community Water Supply and Sanitation Programme

(1976-1994) and the Self Reliant Drinking Water Support Programme (1995-2000).

• The scope and mandate of WARM-P has been broadened from water and sanitation

towards integrated water resources management

• USAID defines IWRM as a participatory planning and implementation process,

based on sound science that brings the stakeholders together to determine how to

meet society’s long-term needs for water and coastal resources while maintaining

essential ecological services and economic benefits.

• IWRM helps to protect the world’s environment, foster economic growth and

sustainable agricultural development, promote democratic participation in

governance, and improve human health.

Water Resource Management

Uses by State and Communities

• The government has been encouraging public sector participation in the water resource development.

• The initiation through the users by forming Water Users Associations

(WUA) is given more importance for the government support.

• The government has the policy of encouraging the community

participation in the development, operation and maintenance of drinking

water supply systems.

• As a result, a number of communities are taking up the leading role in the

development of drinking water project in most of the rural areas.

Contd…• Besides, a number of NGOs, INGOs and donor agencies are also working in making

the provision of drinking water accessible those who have been facing problems of

access to safe drinking water.

• The hydropower development in Nepal began with the development of 500 kW

Pharping power plant in 1911.

• The government has opened up the policy for the maximization of the private sector's

involvement in hydropower development and expansion of rural electrification with

people's participation and development of the fund.

• Now a number of micro-hydropower projects and some hydropower projects are being

developed privately.

• In the context of increasing energy crisis, the government is seeking to attract private

sector’s investment in the development of hydropower.

Principal components of IWRM

• Managing water resources at the basin or watershed scale.

• Optimizing supply.

• Managing demand.

• Providing equitable access to water resources through participatory and

transparent governance and management.

• Establishing improved and integrated policy, regulatory and institutional

frameworks

• Utilizing an inter- sectoral approach to decision-making,

Specific objectives of Water Resource Strategy

• To help reduce the incidence of poverty, unemployment and under-employment;

• To provide people with access to safe and adequate drinking water and sanitation for ensuring health security;

• To increase agricultural production and productivity, ensuring food security of the nation;

• To generate hydropower to satisfy national energy requirements and to allow export of surplus energy;

• To supply the needs of the industrial and other sectors of the economy;

• To facilitate water transport, particularly connection to a sea port;

• To protect the environment and conserve the biodiversity of natural habitat; and

• To prevent and mitigate water-induced disasters.

Outcomes of Water Resource strategy

1. Water Supply • Access to water supply and sanitation expanded/ enhanced (strategy for 5 yrs)• With increasing sanitation and drinking water coverage, service level and quality improved (for 15 yrs)• Adequate supply of and access to quality potable water, sanitation and hygiene awareness provided for all(25

yrs)2. Irrigation • Irrigation systems planned, developed and continued for sustainable management (5yr)• Reliable irrigation service expanded on the basis of sustainability and wealth creation(15 yrs)• Appropriate and efficient irrigation available for the optimal use of irrigable land in a sustainable manner(25

Yr)3. Hydropower • Hydropower developed for domestic needs and viable export (5 yrs)• Hydropower development maximized for different uses (including energy-intensive industries and export of

power) providing substantial benefits (15 yrs)• Hydropower optimally USERS developed (25 Yrs)4. Other Economic Activities • Economic activities for fisheries, aquaculture, recreation, tourism, navigation and industrial water uses

implemented (5yrs)• Economic uses of water and water bodies by recreation, tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, navigation and

industries enhanced (15yrs)• Economic uses of water and water bodies by recreation, tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, navigation and

industries optimized (25 Yrs)

Issues of Water Resources

1. Water Supply and Sanitation Issues• Lack of adequate planning, design and construction of water

supply and sanitation projects • Lack of appropriate approach towards rural water supply

system• Improper management of water supply systems of

Kathmandu Valley and other urban centers• Lack of water quality standards for drinking water2. Hydropower Issues• Improving power system planning• Increasing access to electrification in rural areas • Encouraging private investment in hydropower• Reducing cost of development

Irrigation

• Cultivated Area : 26,42,000 ha (18 % of Land Area)

• Potential Irrigable Area : 66 % of cultivated area

• Present Status 42 % of Cultivated Area has some sort of irrigation 17 % Cultivated Area has year - round Irrigation

• In Terai Irrigated Area: 8,89,000 ha 82 % by Surface Irrigation 18 % by Ground Water (Tube wells)

• Existing Irrigation System Contribute 33 % of Country’s Current Agriculture Production

• By 2027, Irrigation water demand will grow by 185 % as of today (from 13 mill m3 to 37 mill m3)

Drinking water

• BY 1970, – 6 % of the population in rural area had access to a protected water source

• At present, – 66 % of the population has access to drinking water systems • Future consumption will grow steadily

• By the year 2027, – Domestic water consumption would grow from about 800 to 1800 mill m3 per year (125 %)

Hydropower

• Hydropower Potential (Theoretical) : 83,000MW

• Techno-Economically Viable : 43,000MW – Storage potential 49 % – R-O-R potential 51 % Hydropower Development opportunities

• The first Hydropower Project - PHARPING HPP PHARPING HPP (500 KW in year 1911)

• Present Installed capacity 609 MW, of which 553 MW ( hydro )

• Private sector contribution 144 MW (out of 553 MW)

Industrial Use

• Current estimate – Industrial consumption is about 80 mill m3 per year

• By the year 2027 – Expected to increase to 180 mill m3 per year

Other Uses

• Agricultural uses• Domestic uses ( Drinking

water, Bathing, Cooking toilet flushing , cleaning, laundry and gardening)

• Recreation• Watershed Management

(Preservation) – protection of aquatic and natural habitat

• Traditional and commercial fishing • Navigation • Cultural and religious purposes

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