National Integrated Water Resource Management Plan (NWIRMP).

The overall goal of the Plan is to establish the framework and priorities for the implementation of integrated water resources management in Bhutan. The Plan is based on a comprehensive assessment of the current situation and future prospects in light of growing water demands and the threats arising from climate change. It establishes the principles and mechanisms under which agencies involved in the water sector together with river basin stakeholders, can coordinate their respective plans and activities, as well as collectively monitor progress toward attainment of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) objectives. Therefore, the Plan serves as foundation for water resource stakeholders to work together to achieve a common goal of ensuring Bhutan’s water security. Water security, as explained in the Plan, is the capacity to provide sufficient and sustainable quantity and quality of water for all types of water needs and services, and to protect people from water-related disasters. Indicators of water security have been formulated for five key dimensions of water security: household water security, urban water security, economic water security, environmental water security, and security from adverse effects of climate change and natural disasters. These indicators are to be used as a means to coordinate agency plans, and to assess progress in achieving the objectives of IWRM.
The Plan, at the outset, defines components of IWRM: 1. Managing water at the basin or watershed level; 2. Optimizing supply (this involves conducting assessments of surface and groundwater supplies, analysing water balances, adopting wastewater reuse, and evaluating the environmental impacts of distribution and use options); 3. Managing demand (includes adopting cost recovery policies, utilizing water-efficient technologies, and establishing decentralized water management authorities); 4. Providing equitable access(this may include support for effective water users’ associations, involvement of marginalized groups, and consideration of gender issues); 5. Establishing policy (for example implementation of the polluter-pays principle, water quality norms and standards, and market-based regulatory mechanisms); 6. Inter-sectoral approach with stakeholders that have a share in the process. Although Bhutan has no pressing water problems and its legal framework for the management of water resources is considered adequate, certain problems (can) emerge as regards water shortage and scarcity at the local community level and due to increasing water demand and climate change.
The Plan gives an comprehensive outline of the water resources of Bhutan, water-related issues (including impacts of climate change) and the governance framework, defines the concept of Bhutan Water Security Index (BWSI) as the basis for designing a coordination mechanism among the water-related agencies and, separately, defines the management framework for IWRM at the basin level. As to IRWM at basin level, the Plan describes the current management based on the Water Act (functions of River Basin Committees) and establishes priorities under the Plan. These Priorities are Adoption of water security concept for coordination in IWRM planning and monitoring; Confirmation of agency roles in operationalizing the BWSI; further development of river basin management (including preparation of River Basin Management Plans); information gathering on fragmented water sources; enhance water retention capacity; formalisation and strengthening of Water Users Associations; strengthening the capacity of National Environment Commission Secretariat (NECS) and the Department of Agriculture; strengthening the weather and hydrological monitoring and forecasting capacity; improve the legal and the governance framework; study the potential for groundwater utilization; support for local administration. The Plan is completed by five Appendices.