Villages in Nepal resolve water problems

Perennial rivers, lakes and plenty of rain once blessed communities in the Ilam District in the eastern hills of Nepal with abundant water. But, with a growing population, small hydropower plants, capture of water resources by certain groups and less water in streams and rivers, some sections of the community are not getting the water they need. GWP Nepal worked in four villages, explaining rights and responsibilities under the national water policy and telling villagers about the benefits of an integrated approach. GWP Nepal also started consultations to show communities how to make inventories of water resources and water use. Communities have now set up Local Water Partnerships as a way to address their problems and find solutions.