Minister Yadav calls for preserving glaciers for water

Kathmandu, March 21: Minister for Water Supplies, Pradeep Yadav, has stressed the need for preservation of glaciers from the impact of climate change.     

"The climate change has its implications on glaciers and atmospheric patterns, causing consequences in the areas of drinking water facility, agriculture and hydropower," he said while addressing a seminar here on Saturday.     

The event titled "Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Financing and Sustainability" was organised by the Society of Public Health Engineers, Nepal, marking the World Water Day.     

The Minister said, "It is the responsibility of all to preserve glaciers".     

"Water is vital for life and it is urgent to preserve glaciers, the base for water sources," he said, highlighting the need of combined efforts from all the three-tier government and the citizens' level towards that end.     

The Minister further said the government was committed to ensuring the rights to clean water and sanitation guaranteed by the Constitution.     

According to the Minister, Nepal is a home to over 3,800 glaciers with well-known Khumbu and Ngozumpa Glacier along the Sagarmatha region.     

He further said that a guarantee of clean drinking water, sanitation and environmental cleanliness is the fundamental rights of the citizens and a significant base for social justice, public health, economic prosperity and environmental balance.     

"The federal government has pursued various policies such as 'one house, one tap' and 'citizens' water, government investment' in course of implementing this right," he said.     

Despite being a nation with ample water resources, Nepal faces challenges for management of available water resources with the maintenance of cleanliness and an increased citizen' access, according to Minister Yadav.     

"March 22 each year has been celebrated as the World Water Day since 1993, offering the world a platform to reiterate commitments towards the guarantee of safe and clean water," he said, adding that internationally the 1966 two International Human Rights Covenants and the UNGA in 2010 have accepted the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right.     

The water supply facility had begun in Nepal from the Bir Tap in 1948 BS and the matter has been incorporated in the periodic plans since the very first five-year plan implemented in 2013 BS (1956-1961) .     

Secretary at the Ministry, Engineer Pramila Devi Shakya Bajraharya stated that the federal ministry has been constantly effortful with priority to ensure clean drinking water and sanitation in accordance with the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. "Promoting equal access, fair distribution, and long-term management through good governance, cooperation, and coordination among the three-tier of government are the concerns of the Ministry."     

The theme for the World Water Day 2025 is " Glacier Preservation". (RSS)