Water Regulation of Bhutan 2014.
Country
Type of law
Regulation
Abstract
This Water Regulation of Bhutan 2014 is enacted for the effective enforcement of the objectives and purposes of the Water Act of Bhutan 2011. The Regulation consists 151 articles divided into 12 Chapters: Preliminary Provisions (I); Authorities and Functions (II); Water Users’ Association (III); General Provisions (IV); Rural Drinking Water (V); Thromde Drinking Water (VI); Irrigation Water (VII); Planning and Management of Water Resources (VIII); Watersheds and their Management (IX); Dispute Resolution (X); Offences and Penalties (XI); Miscellaneous Provision(XII).
Chapter II identifies roles and responsibilities of designated Competent Authorities and other relevant organizations. The National Environment Commission, which is the apex independent authority of the Royal Government for the purpose of developing policies, plans, programs and monitoring water resource management in the Kingdom, in addition to its functions under the Water Act, the Commission shall: (a) ensure effective enforcement of this Regulation by Competent Authorities; (b) review and adopt the National Integrated Water Resource Management Plan (NIWRMP) for its incorporation into national policies, plans and programs; (c) review and adopt guidelines for water resource management plans including River Basin Management Plans; (d) form River Basin Committees for preparation of the River Basin Management Plans; and (e) review and adopt the Water Regulation. Article 8 provides for other Competent Authorities for the purpose of enforcing respective provisions of this Regulation and the functions thereof.
Chapter III provides for formation, quorum, decision-making process and meeting, registration, powers and functions of the water users’ association. Chapter IV provides for the water user rights, right to water facility of a land and house, water pollution control, effluent discharge, property damage and compensation, etc. Except for the activities existing prior to the adoption of this Regulation, any water abstraction activity will require a permit from concerned authority (art.44). Groundwater abstraction may be considered permissible where there is no other alternative surface water source (art.63).
The Regulation further provides for: specific requirements and procedures for drinking water, irrigation water, etc.; national integrated water resources management plan and river basin management plan; functions of river basin committees; timber extraction from a watershed area; community settlement within watershed area; dispute settlement and appeals; offences and penalties; etc.
Chapter II identifies roles and responsibilities of designated Competent Authorities and other relevant organizations. The National Environment Commission, which is the apex independent authority of the Royal Government for the purpose of developing policies, plans, programs and monitoring water resource management in the Kingdom, in addition to its functions under the Water Act, the Commission shall: (a) ensure effective enforcement of this Regulation by Competent Authorities; (b) review and adopt the National Integrated Water Resource Management Plan (NIWRMP) for its incorporation into national policies, plans and programs; (c) review and adopt guidelines for water resource management plans including River Basin Management Plans; (d) form River Basin Committees for preparation of the River Basin Management Plans; and (e) review and adopt the Water Regulation. Article 8 provides for other Competent Authorities for the purpose of enforcing respective provisions of this Regulation and the functions thereof.
Chapter III provides for formation, quorum, decision-making process and meeting, registration, powers and functions of the water users’ association. Chapter IV provides for the water user rights, right to water facility of a land and house, water pollution control, effluent discharge, property damage and compensation, etc. Except for the activities existing prior to the adoption of this Regulation, any water abstraction activity will require a permit from concerned authority (art.44). Groundwater abstraction may be considered permissible where there is no other alternative surface water source (art.63).
The Regulation further provides for: specific requirements and procedures for drinking water, irrigation water, etc.; national integrated water resources management plan and river basin management plan; functions of river basin committees; timber extraction from a watershed area; community settlement within watershed area; dispute settlement and appeals; offences and penalties; etc.
Attached files
Web site
Date of text
Entry into force notes
This Regulation shall come into force from January 1, 2015.
Repealed
No
Source language
English
Legislation Amendment
No
Implements