Water Resources Strategy.

This Water Sector Strategy (WSS), prepared by the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS), is designed to guide water sector activities towards sustainability of the resource while providing economic growth through water resources development, hazard mitigation, environment protection and constructive methods of resolving water use conflicts. The Water Resources Strategy will meet water supply needs and long-term sustainability by providing a systematic framework for water resources development and identifying action plans to avoid and resolve conflicts. The proposed policy framework, which has been endorsed by the Government as an integral part of the Strategy, consists of a set of water sector objectives, policy principles, and development objectives. The goal of water resources development, like that of other types of resource development, should be to improve or contribute to the improvement of, quality of life for the Nepalese people.
Water sector policy in Nepal is based on various guiding principles, including general principle, social development principles, economic development principles, and environmental sustainability principles. Specific objectives adopted for WRS include: Help reduce the incidence of poverty, unemployment and under-employment; Provide access to safe and adequate drinking water and sanitation for ensuring health security; Increase agricultural production, ensuring the nation’s food security; Generate hydropower to satisfy national energy requirements and to allow for export of surplus energy; Supply the needs of the industrial sector and other sectors of the economy; Facilitate water transport, particularly connection to a seaport; Protect the environment and sustain the biodiversity of natural habitat; Prevent and mitigate water-induced disasters.
The Water Resources Strategy defines outputs that will contribute to this goal through the achievement of short-, medium- and long-term purposes. Purpose on the short-term (5-year) of the Strategy is the providing of tangible benefits to people in line with basic needs fulfillment, supported and managed by capable institutions involving all stakeholders. Purpose of the medium-term (15-year) of the Strategy is to provide substantial benefits to people for basic needs fulfillment as well as other increased benefits related to sustainable water use. Purpose of the long-term (25-year) of the Strategy is to maximize benefits from water resources in Nepal in a sustainable manner. Strategic outputs for short, medium and long-term are specified by description, activities and indicators. These outputs are: Effective Measures to Manage and Mitigate Water-Induced Disasters are functional; Sustainable Management of Watersheds and Aquatic Ecosystems Achieved; Adequate Supply of and Access to Potable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Awareness provided; Appropriate and Efficient Irrigation available to Support Optimal, Sustainable Use of Irrigable Land; Cost-Effective Hydropower Developed in a Sustainable Manner; Economic Uses of Water by Industries and Water Bodies by Tourism, Fisheries and Navigation optimized; Regional Cooperation for Substantial Mutual Benefits achieved; Enhanced Water-Related Information Systems are functional; Appropriate Legal Frameworks are functional; Appropriate Institutional Mechanisms for Water Sector Management are functional.
The Strategy outlines recommended instututional changes. Finally, it identifies the general level of financial commitment that will be required from the Government to realize targeted outputs. Priorities for specific projects and investment plans will be set out in the National Water Plan.