Abstract
Achieving water security is one of the major global challenges in the age of climate change, urbanization, rapid population increase, and weak water institutions. Despite the proliferation of water institutions and policies at national and local levels, the slow response to address water scarcity remains a puzzle in Nepal. This study investigated the state of water insecurity in relation to institutional structures, particularly focusing at the local level in Nepal. A qualitative research approach was used in two case study cities: Dhulikhel in central Nepal and Dharan in the east. The study found that failing to achieve water security is not due to a lack of an abundant supply of physical water in the country; rather, the problem is more about resolving the institutional complexity resulting from the existence of multiple water institutions with overlapping and competing roles and responsibilities. The authors conclude that strengthening institutional capacity is the key, including some fundamental rethinking to ensure clearly articulated and complementary roles, responsibilities, and relationships.
Highlights
Water scarcity in Nepal looms large despite plentiful water resources
The authors argue that sustainable urban water management in Nepal is stymied despite having adequate water supplies because the myriad waterrelated institutions are riddled with competing, conflicting, and overlapping roles and responsibilities, and because local-level micro-politics get in the way of enacting effective policies from local to national levels
As an overt case of the institutional conflicts, there is a lawsuit filed at the Supreme Court of Nepal by Nepal Water Supply Corporation (NWSC) (Dharan) against the initiative of Dharan sub-metropolitan city and DWSMB, which are forcing NWSC to merge with DWSMB.[44]
Summary
Water scarcity in Nepal looms large despite plentiful water resources. A number of large rivers flow southward from the Northern Himalayas, including about 6,000 rivers and rivulets that flow through Nepal, making it one of the richest countries in the world for water resources. The authors argue that sustainable urban water management in Nepal is stymied despite having adequate water supplies because the myriad waterrelated institutions are riddled with competing, conflicting, and overlapping roles and responsibilities, and because local-level micro-politics get in the way of enacting effective policies from local to national levels.
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