Water resources development planning in the Karnali river basin, Nepal

Abstract

Nepal is often quoted as the country in the world with rich hydropower. However, such an enormous potential is practically unexploited. This article presents the applications of advanced analytical techniques in analysing the water resources potential and planning optimal development in the Karnali River Basin, one of the three major river basins in the Kingdom of Nepal. The Chisapani project, the largest single reservoir system in the basin, has been given considerable interest by the concerned authorities in recent years. However, several relatively smaller reservoirs can be developed in the upper reaches of the basin and a number of alternative plans can be formed among these to yield benefits close to that of the Chisapani project. Moreover, these smaller reservoirs apparently have less adverse environmental and social impacts.