Tackle Looming Water Crisis

Nepal is home to hundreds of snow-clad mountains, including some of the highest peaks in the world, and glacial lakes that are the key sources of freshwater. With its irreplaceable geographical position, the Himalayan nation has access to the third-largest freshwater reserve on earth through the Himalayas. Water is essential for life because it plays an important role in bodily functions such as regulating temperature, carrying nutrients, greasing joints and aiding digestion. But, the National Census-2021 shows that only about 27 per cent of the population now gets pure drinking water. Around 10.8 million people in the country still lack access to improved sanitation while nearly 3.5 million do not have access to basic water services. 

Even a lot of urban dwellers, including those living in the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, are deprived of this basic facility despite the operation of the Melamchi Water Supply Project. Many water supply projects are not functional owing to a lack of timely monitoring and repairs. This calls for the government to double down on its efforts to enable the people to have access to water and sanitation. Because of the lack of safe drinking water and good sanitation and hygiene, many people, especially children, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, catch different waterborne diseases.

Equitable access  

The country targets to increase the number of people using safe drinking water to more than 90 per cent by 2030. Initiatives have been taken to secure enhanced and equitable access to safe and sustainable drinking water, sanitation services, and improved hygiene practices for children and their families. Supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the WASH Sector Development Plan (2016-2030) contributes towards improving water quality by strengthening the water regulatory body, implementing water safety plans, and raising community awareness on household-level water treatment.

In a bid to create public awareness about the importance of preserving freshwater sources and drinking pure water, World Water Day is celebrated every year worldwide. This event also aims to lobby for the sustainable management of water resources. At present, about 2.2 billion people do not have access to clean and safe drinking water worldwide. This year too, Nepal and the world observed that global event with various programmes on March 22. The water crisis is exacerbating throughout the world due to global warming. The event is related to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. As this goal aims to ensure water and sanitation for all by 2030, Nepal needs to lay much emphasis on achieving it. 

The water scarcity may worsen further in the years to come with temperatures rising globally every year. According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the year 2024 is the warmest year on record. The world witnessed record-breaking temperatures in the past ten years (2015-2024). It was last year that recorded unprecedented land and sea surface temperatures and ocean heat with a global mean temperature of more than 1.5°C above the 1850-1900 average.

'Glacier Preservation' is the theme of this year’s World Water Day. The theme highlights the critical role of glaciers in maintaining global freshwater supplies. It also points out an urgent need for governments to step up conservation measures to tackle the escalating climate crisis. Each year, a precise theme is selected to draw attention to critical challenges related to water and encourage joint action to deal with them. Various researches have indicated that the world has seen the disappearance of glaciers more rapidly than ever over the past three years. A fresh report released by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has painted a bleak picture of glaciers. The report has indicated that climate change has posed a serious threat to the fragile mountain ecology.    

The theme of World Water Day seems to be quite fitting for Nepal as the country boasts more than 3,000 glaciers. As these glaciers are primary sources of the country’s river system, they are vital for supplying drinking water, contributing to agriculture by making available irrigation facilities, hydropower generation and maintaining biodiversity and ecosystems. But these glaciers are at risk of being outbursts because of the impact of rising temperatures. In August 2024, two glacial lakes burst, threatening the Thame village of Solukhumbu district. The incident linked to climate change caused damage to several houses, a school and a health clinic, displacing as many as 135 people. 

Less snow 

The government had to issue warnings to the people living in downstream, asking them to stay in safe places as the Dudh Koshi River got swollen with floods. Anyway, no human casualties were recorded. However, precautionary measures must be taken to prevent a loss of lives and properties because many glaciers are vulnerable to outbursts.   High mountains in Nepal are losing their charm as a tourist attraction since they have started experiencing less snow than normal. Even the locals and tourists can easily feel it.  This is mainly attributed to rising temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns. As this leads to a decrease in the volume of water in the river system, the country may face a scarcity of water for drinking, irrigation and hydropower plants. 

In the past, high-altitude regions used to record heavy snowfall during winter. With the government preparing for hosting Sagarmatha Sambaad in upcoming May, it is planning to raise the issue of climate change and its adverse impact on the mountain environment prominently. As the climate crisis puts both developed and developing nations in peril, it is high time that they join hands to tackle this burning problem.     

(The author is a former deputy executive editor of this daily.)