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NEPAL NATIONAL WATER AND

WEATHER WEEK 2017 PROGRAM REPORT

Prepared and Submitted By:

The Small Earth Nepal

Secretariat, Nepal National Water and Weather

Week 2017

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The organizing committee of Nepal National Water and Weather Week 2017 (NNWWW 2017)

would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the Honorable Minister Janardan Sharma (Prabhakar),

Minister, Ministry of Energy for accepting our invitation to the inauguration program. The

committee would also like to express our deep gratitude to Honorable Minister Jay Dev Joshi,

Ministry of Population and Environment for accepting our invitation to the closing ceremony.

Similarly, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Er. Bhim Prasad Upadhyaya,

Secretary, Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation and Mr. Ramanand Prasad Yadav Secretary,

Ministry of Irrigation for accepting our invitation as guest to the inauguration program.

We would like to express our deep appreciation and gratitude towards Mr. Madhusudan Aadhikari

Chair of NNWWW 2017, Mr. Madhav Belbase, Joint-Secretary, WECS, Vice-Chair of NNWWW

2017, Dr Rishi Ram Sharma DG DHM , Vice- Chair, NNWWW 2017, Mr. Tej Raj Bhatta, DG,

DWSS, Vice- Chair, NNWWW 2017, Mr. Rajendra Prasad Adhikari, DG, DoI, Vice-Chair,

NNWWW 2017,Mr. Purushottam Sharma Under Secretary, WECS, General Secretary of

NNWWW 2017 and other organizing committee members for the support and encouragement

throughout the NNWWW 2017 programs.

Similarly, we would like to thank specially ADAPT Nepal, CARE Nepal, CCNN, CREEW,

ENPHO, ICIMOD, IWMI, JVS/GWP Nepal, Lumanti, KVWSMB, NENCID, NTNC, Practical

Action Nepal, Smart Paani, SNV Nepal, SOHAM, SOPHEN, WaterAid Nepal and WWF Nepal

for their remarkable support without whose support, the program would not have been possible.

We would like to extend the heartfelt gratitude to all the national and international media houses

and journalists for disseminating the information effectively into the public. We are grateful for

the valuable inputs and guidance provided by the governmental sectors, non-government

organizations, academic institutions, business houses, participants of various programs and all

those known and unknown individuals and organizations that have helped us directly or indirectly

to make the whole event a grand success.

Secretariat

The Small Earth Nepal

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ACRONYMS

CREEW Center of Research for Environment Energy and Water

CCNN Cycle City Network Nepal

DoI Department of Irrigation

DHM Department of Hydrology and Meteorology

DG Director General

ENPHO Environment and Public Health Organization

IWMI International Water Management Institute

IPPAN Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal

ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

KVWSMB Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Management Board

MoPE Ministry of Population and Environment

NAST Nepal Academy of Science and Technology

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

NNWW Nepal National Water Week

NNWWW Nepal National Water and Weather Week

SEN The Small Earth Nepal

SOHAM Society of Hydrologists and Meteorologists

WECS Water and Energy Commission Secretariat

WMD World Meteorological Day

WWD World Water Day

WWF World Wide Fund for Nature

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................................. i

ACRONYMS .................................................................................................................................... ii

1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 1

2 OBJECTIVES .............................................................................................................. 2

3 ACTIVITIES ............................................................................................................... 2

3.1 Pre-Week Activities ..................................................................................................... 2

3.1.1 Stakeholder’s Meeting ................................................................................................. 2

3.1.2 Press meet and press release ........................................................................................ 3

3.1.3 WASH Olympiad ........................................................................................................ 3

3.2 The Week Activities .................................................................................................... 3

3.2.1 Cycle rally .................................................................................................................... 3

3.2.2 Walkathon .................................................................................................................... 3

3.2.3 Formal inaugural program ........................................................................................... 4

3.2.4 Bagmati cleanup campaign .......................................................................................... 5

3.2.5 Students’ visit to Wastewater treatment plant at Guheshwori ..................................... 5

3.2.6 8th National Symposium on Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable

Management of Groundwater Resources in Nepal ...................................................... 5

3.2.7 Meteorological Educational Ceremony ....................................................................... 6

3.2.8 River Basin Research Sharing Colloquium ................................................................. 6

3.2.9 Thematic Workshop to celebrate World Water Day 2017 ........................................ 11

3.2.10 Weather Forecasting Center visit .............................................................................. 12

3.2.11 Stakeholders Consultation on Hydro-meteorological Services in Nepal .................. 12

3.2.12 Closing ceremony ...................................................................................................... 12

4 ANNEXES ................................................................................................................. 15

Annex I: Participating Organization ........................................................................................... 15

Annex II: Main Organizing Committee ...................................................................................... 17

Annex III: Some Media Coverages ............................................................................................. 18

Annex IV: Photographs of the Event .......................................................................................... 21

Annex VI: Program Schedule ..................................................................................................... 30

Annex VII: Sample Letter of Appreciation ................................................................................. 34

Annex VII: Registration sheets of Opening and Closing Ceremony .......................................... 35

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1 INTRODUCTION

World Water Day is celebrated annually on 22 March for taking action on water crisis. This

international day was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and

Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit. The United Nations General Assembly

responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. Each year, World Water

Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. This year UN-Water has dedicated World Water

Day 2017 to the theme Wastewater and the campaign, ‘Why waste water?’ is about reducing and

reusing wastewater.

Likewise, each year, on 23 March, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the

worldwide meteorological community celebrate World Meteorological Day (WMD) around a

chosen theme. The theme of the World Meteorological Day for 2017 is “Understanding Clouds”.

This day commemorates the entry into force, on that date in 1950, of the WMO Convention

creating the organization. Subsequently, in 1951, WMO was designated a specialized agency of

the United Nations System.

In 2015, countries adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs). Over the next fifteen years, with these new Goals that universally

apply to all, countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and

tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind. Strong efforts are needed from

the government and private sectors to achieve the goals in Nepal. In this program we are trying to

address few goals with the joint effort: Goal#1 (No poverty), 5 (Clean water), 7 (Clean energy)

through 13 (Climate actions) and 17 (Partnership). Management of water, climate and overall

environment helps to achieve other goals such as 1 and 2 (No poverty and zero hunger), 3 (Good

health), 9 (Industries and infrastructures) and 11 (Sustainable cities).

More than 50 organizations including governmental agencies, I/NGOs, private sectors, academia,

media houses have been organizing a weeklong programs since 2008 under an umbrella network

of Nepal National Water and Weather Week to commemorate these two very special days. The

Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS), the government of Nepal, lead the

consortium. The event is a common platform to share and discuss the various issues related to

water and weather, and come up with some policy resolutions. With this context, a weeklong

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program from 17 March to 23 March 2017 under the title "Nepal National Water and Weather

Week - 2017 (NNWWW-2017)" has been proposed.

2 OBJECTIVES

The aim of Nepal National Water and Weather Week 2017 was to celebrate World Water Day and

World Meteorological Day nationwide with different programs including awareness activities,

research, capacity building and so and advocate it in a joint effort from various sectors. The major

objectives of this national event were:

1. To raise awareness, both on the potential for increased cooperation, and on the challenges

facing water management in light of the increase in demand for water access, allocation

and services.

2. To provide a common platform to the scientists, scholars, policy makers, general public to

share their ideas and ponder their view towards the sustainable management of water

3. To intensify discussion on water related issues focusing on wastewater and SDG.

4. To enhance the understanding of public and school/college students wastewater and

related issues.

5. To bring together the organizations and institutes working in water and environment

sectors in a single platform.

3 ACTIVITIES

The following activities were carried out in order to fulfill the above objectives.

3.1 Pre-Week Activities

3.1.1 Stakeholder’s Meeting

A broad stakeholders’ meeting was held on February 15 at WECS meeting hall to discuss the

possible support, collaboration and proposed activities to celebrate NNWWW 2017. Mr.

Madhusudan Adhikari, Secretary, Water and Energy Commission Secretariat chaired the meeting

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3.1.2 Press meet and press release

The press meet was held on March 15 at WECS Meeting Hall in Singhdurbar. Secretary of

WECS, Mr. Madhusudan Adhikari, chaired the meet. He highlighted the need of celebration and

shared about the finalized programs of water and weather week activities.

Then the floor was made open for the discussion, questions, queries, and suggestions. In the

discussion, there was a comprehensive talk about the local and national issues of water.

A press note was released and the soft and hard copies of the release were distributed to the media

people

3.1.3 WASH Olympiad

The Small Earth Nepal (SEN) in collaboration with Everest English School, Bhaktapur organized

the wash Olympiad on March 16, 2017. The Olympiad was organized to raise awareness among

school student in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) issues. Forty multiple-choice

questions were asked to the participants. Twenty-three students have participated in the

competition. After the evaluation, Mr. Rupak Neupane secured the first position, Mr. Manish

Pyakurel, the second position and Mr. Samir the third position. The winner students were

provided a gift hamper.

3.2 The Week Activities

3.2.1 Cycle rally

Cycle rally was organized on 17 March 2017 with the coordination of Cycle City Network Nepal.

The rally started from Patan Durbar Square, then cycling through the Shankhamul to Kupondole,

the rally ended at Department of Irrigation, Jawalakhel. More than 60 cyclists were participated.

3.2.2 Walkathon

The Walkathon was organized on 17 March simultaneously with cycle rally from Maitighar

Mandal, Kathmandu. Mr. Madhusudan Adhikari, Secretary of WECS and Chairperson NNWWW

2017 inaugurated the walkathon. More than 50 participants led by Mr. Adhikari, started the walk

from Maitighar through Thapathali and ended at Department of Irrigation, Jawalakhel.

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3.2.3 Formal inaugural program

The formal opening ceremony was organized on 17 March 2017, which was chaired, by Mr.

Madhusdan Adhikari, Secretary, Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS),

Government of Nepal. Hon. Minister Janardan Sharma (Prabhakar), Ministry of Energy, the Chief

Guest for the program inaugurated the program, by watering a plant.

In his inaugural speech, Minister Janardan Sharma talked about the importance of the water

resources for the economic development of the country. He further stressed that the water

resources of Nepal is not only the foundation of development, but it is also the base of

nationalism. Minister Sharma further said that there people should be benefited from the water

resources and for this the government has brought the campaign of ‘Nepalko Pani, Janatako

Lagani’ (People’s Investment on Water Resources) to mobilize the people money on hydropower

generation and benefit people for long term. Minister Sharma also urged Nepalis working in

various countries across the world to consider investment in hydro-electricity projects that will

yield results soon. He said said that the government’s policy was to encourage Nepalese working

abroad to invest in hydroelectricity projects such as Sunkoshi, Nalsinghgadh, Sharada and Upper

Arun, among other such projects.

In his speech as the chairperson of the program, Mr. Madhusdan Adhikari, secretary of WECS

and Chairperson of the NNWWW-2017 emphasized the need of proper use of output of scientific

research in water sector. Mr. Adhikari further said that wastewater is not the discarded water, but

it is an untapped resource.

Speaking in the programme, Dr. David J. Molden, Director General of ICIMOD said that when it

comes to water, it is an important issue for mountain people. He further added that HKH region

has high expectation as 1.3 million population of the world depend on the water coming from the

mountains.

In the programme, Secretary of Water Supply and Sanitation, Mr. Bhim Prasad Upadhya

highlighted about cultural aspect of water. He further discussed about scientific reason of religious

activates of Hindu culture related to water.

Mr. Ramananda Yadav, Secretary of Ministry of Irrigation, in his remarks, highlighted the

demand of water in irrigation sector and potentiality of irrigation water supply in Nepal. He said

that if Nepal has be self-dependent in food security, there should be holistic plan to tap water

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resources and meet the irrigation demand to make irrigation water available in unirrigated land of

the country.

Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma, Director General of Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM)

put his remarks about interdependence of clouds and freshwater and why it is important to

understand clouds to mitigate water induced disasters. Dr. Sharma further presented the

government’s plan to establish modern system and technologies on weather forecasting.

In the programme, the inaugural welcome speech was delivered by Mr. Madhav Belbase, Joint

Secretary of WECS and vice chair of NNWWW-2017.

3.2.4 Bagmati cleanup campaign

On 19 March 2017, SEN, WECS and few students participated in the Bagmati cleanup campaign.

The cleaning venue was at Ram Mandir, near Pashupati. The cleanup program started at Ram

Mandir and went down all the way to Tilganga.

3.2.5 Students’ visit to Wastewater treatment plant at Guheshwori

NNWWW 2017 organized a visit to Wastewater treatment plant at Guheshwari to the university

students from both technical and social science background. They observed the different processes

of the wastewater treatment plant and demonstrated the laboratory testing facilities available at the

HPCIDBC.

3.2.6 8th National Symposium on Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable

Management of Groundwater Resources in Nepal

Different organizations and government agencies organized 8th Groundwater Symposium in

Kathmandu on 20 March 2017 as an event of NNWWW-2017. The symposium was organized by

the joint effort of Center for Research on Environment Energy and Water (CREEW), The Small

Earth Nepal (SEN), Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO), Kathmandu Valley

Water Supply Management (KVWSMB) and Groundwater Resources Development Board

(GRDB).

The symposium was divided into two sessions: formal opening session was organized in the

beginning, which was followed by technical sessions. Mr. Bhim Upadhya, Secretary of Water

Supply and Sanitation, as the Chief Guest, inaugurated opening session. In the opening session,

Prof. Suresh Raj Chalise from SEN, Ms. Tripti Rai from WAN, Er. Bipin Dongol from ENPHO,

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Er. Sanjeev Bickram Rana from KVWSMB had put their remarks on the contemporary issues on

groundwater in Nepal. Similarly, Dr. Sangam Shrestha from Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)

presented keynote remarks. Dr. Shrestha presented successful cases of Thailand on reviving the

groundwater depletion problem and discussed on its potential replications in Nepal especially in

Kathmandu valley. The opening session was chaired by Mr. Madhav Belbase, Joint Secretary of

WECS and vice chair of NNWWW-2017.

Three technical sessions followed the opening session. All together 11-research papers were

presented in the technical sessions, 3 papers in the first session and 4 papers in each second and

third session.

3.2.7 Meteorological Educational Ceremony

Students’ Organization of Meteorology (SOM) with support from SOHAM Nepal, DHM, WWF

Nepal, ICIMOD and SEN celebrated Meteorological Educational Ceremony-2017 at Tri-Chandra

College, Ghantaghar on March 20 and 21. The programme was followed by the Inaugural session

on the first day. Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma, Director General of Department of Hydrology and

Meteorology (DHM), chaired the inaugural session. Prof. Dr. Pradeep Bahadur Neupane, Campus

Chief, Tri-chandra College, Mr. Narayan Gautam, Head of Department, Tri-chandra College, Mr.

Suman Kumar Regmi, Secretary General of SOHAM Nepal and other distinguished personalities

were also present during the occasion. The programme comprised series of talk programmes

during two days periods (March 20 and March 21).

List of Talk Programmes

1. Climate change and its effects on Glaciers by Mr. Amrit Thapa (ICIMOD)

2. Cloud Burst by Ms. Archana Shrestha (DHM)

3. Remote Sensing by Dr. Hemu Kafle (KIAS)

4. Walkers Circulation by Prof. Dr. Lochan Devkota (CDHM,TU)

5. Tree Ring: A tool for climate change studies by Dr. Binod Dawadi (CDHM, TU)

6. Western Disturbances by Mr. Barun Paudel (SOHAM)

3.2.8 River Basin Research Sharing Colloquium

A colloquium on the river basin in Nepal was organized on 21 March 2017 at the Himalayan

hotel. The main objective of the program was to share the activities and the research findings from

the major river basins in Nepal. Several projects related to climate change and variability, water

resource management integrating with other key sectors such as agriculture, public health, disaster

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management have been carried out in different basins of Nepal but there is a severe lack of

coordination among the projects. This program was designed to provide a common platform to

policy makers and scientists to share the state of the art findings from the river basin and discuss

the potential policy implications. As a supplementary outcomes, young researchers working in the

water and related sectors got an opportunity to identify the research and knowledge gaps in the

river basins and they can plan research projects to those river basins accordingly.

There were two technical sessions in the Colloquium

Technical session I: Water Resources Management Approaches

Mr. Keshab Dhoj Adhikari, joint secretary at the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat

(WECS), government of Nepal, chaired this session. WECS has now been developing the water

resource planning for Nepal. There were four papers presented in the session, a brief of those

papers is below:

Paper 1: Integrated water resource management in the context of Nepal, Prof Narendra

Man Shakya, IOE/TU

Prof Shakya mainly focused on the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) concept and

its implication in Nepal. While speaking, Prof Shakya showed the surplus and the deficit basins in

Nepal, surplus basins are those whish start from the glaciers such as Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali and

those deficit basins those which mainly start from the Churiya range such as West Rapti, Kanlai,

Kamala etc. In an annual basis, there is enough surplus of water from all the basins but in dry

seasons, the deficit basins are dry due to less amount of the water available for irrigation. Glaciers

are retreating and the glacial lakes are increasing in both number and the size, and the warming

rate in the mountains is higher than in the lowland areas. He concluded that the IWRM concept

needs to revisit before its actual implementation because of the change in the socio-economic and

climate in recent years.

Paper 2: Nepal’s water risk scenarios and opportunities for resilient development, Rajesh

Sada, WWF Nepal

Mr. Sada’s main point was to consider the water resources at center while developing

infrastructure because those development activities may have a severe impacts to the water

sources and its distribution. He developed the three scenarios in the context of water resource

management in Nepal based on the development and urbanization, those scenarios are:

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Metropolitan Nepal: Highly urban centered development, rural-urban migration is high that results

the satellite cities and higher economic activities.

Bucolic Nepal: Tourism and the agriculture sectors grow massively contributing significantly to

Nepal’s economy.

Energized Nepal: Lots of hydropower development, and power based economy.

He mentioned that the real scenario could be stand alone, combination of any two or three,

however, session chair commented that the three scenarios are dynamics and will be moving

together while considering a larger area.

Paper 3: Upstream-downstream linkages for catchment level Water Use Master Plans

(WUMP), Dr. Santosh Nepal, ICIMOD

Dr. Nepal shared the linkage of upstream and downstream regions with an example of water use

master plan (WUMP) from few villages of the Sindhuli district. WUMP is a village level water

plan considering the water source and the water use sectors, it inter-linkages the upstream and

downstream regions. As an example: the water pollution, erosion, glacier retreats, sedimentation

in upstream regions affects the water availability in the downstream region. The issues of the

upstream and downstream linkages are dependent on scales. Before adopting the WUMP,

quantification of the total water availability from different sources and their uses in different

sectors are very necessary at the sub-watershed/village scale. In conclusion, there should be a joint

constitution including the upstream (conservation) and the downstream (development)

communities for a prosperous Nepal.

Paper 4: Multi-perspective analysis of river basins in Western Nepal: An attempt of DJB-

project, Dr. Vishnu Prasad Pandey et al., IWMI

Dr. Pandey and his team from IWMI presented their proposed project’s (Digo Jal Bikas) plan for

the Karnali, Mahakali and Mohana basins in the western Nepal. In his presentation, Dr. Pandey

mentioned that there is inter-connectedness among the different water dependent sectors while

considering a watershed as a unit. The project is following the principle of both efficiency and

equity and will be adopting the multi-perspective approach for water resource management.

Development of hydro-economic model is one of the main outputs expected from the project.

While presenting on E-flow, IWMI team mentioned that physical infrastructure development may

change and water availability and water quality both affect the ecosystem health. As an example

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of the lack of implementation of policy in E-flow, it was mentioned that the 10% of the dry season

flow to be maintained in rivers while developing the hydropower and irrigation projects has not

been implemented properly.

Session chair’s note

In the new federal structures, river basin office in each of the major basins will be established for

collecting and managing the three aspects:

-Water related master plan

-Existing use of water

-Water availability as a resource

Mr. Chair also mentioned that WECS has drafted the water resource policy for Nepal and the

main findings/suggestions from this colloquium will be encompassed, where appropriate, while

finalizing the policy.

Technical Session II: Focus of Recent Research in Water Sector

Second technical session was chaired by Dr. Madan Lall Shrestha, Academician, Nepal Academy

of Science and Technology (NAST). There were five papers in the session.

1. Climate and hydrological assessment in Karnali Basin, Nepal

Jeeban Panthi, The Small Earth Nepal

In his presentation, Mr. Jeeban Panthi mainly discussed current and future climate and

hydrological scenarios of Karnali Basin. The basin is one of the most vulnerable basins in Nepal

in terms of climate change. Analysing the historical climate data it has been found in the basin

that the upper region has received low rainfall. Mr. Panthi further presented his research findings

that the whole basin receives about 89% of the annual rainfall in the four months of monsoon.

Historical records also show that the numbers of rainy days are decreasing. Future climate

prediction for the region shows that temperature in the region will increase up to 6°C by 2099 in

worst-case scenario. Future climate models have also shown that pre-monsoon rainfall will

increase in the region while post monsoon rainfall will decrease. Future discharge scenarios also

show that pre monsoon season flow will increase. As the rainy days are decreasing, it is likely that

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drier days in the future are getting drier. Similarly, warming will be higher in the winter and

rainfall variability will be high.

2. Livelihood vulnerability assessment due to climate change in Gandaki Basin, Nepal

Piyush Dahal, The Small Earth Nepal

Mr. Piyush Dahal presented climate change scenarios in Gandaki River Basin and livelihood

vulnerability due to changing climate in the area. His analaysis of observed climatic data in the

basin shows that warming trend in the basin is higher in the high elevation and precipitation is

much variable spatially, Duration of the monsoon has been increasing but quantity of the

precipitation has not changed significantly. Similarly, consecutive dry days are increasing and, as

a result, rainy days are decreasing in the basin. He further presented that agriculture land in the

basin is decreasing, mainly due to unavailability of water. Also, livestock diseases in the basin are

increasing. Similarly, he further discussed that livestock sector in future is likely to be more

stressed as the fodder production is decreasing and invasive species are increasing.

3. WWF’s experiences on implementing river basin management approach in ground

Dr. Shalu Adhikari, WWF Nepal

Dr. Shalu Adhikari presented the experiences and learning of the project activities carried out by

WWF Nepal in the Koshi River basin. The main objective of the project was to sustainably

manage Koshi River Basin water resources and reduce climate risk vulnerability. The project had

also supported the Koshi River Basiin Strategic Plan.

The project mainly worked in water, food, energy, conservation education and awareness,

capacity building and strengthening of people. The major impact of the project was it enhanced

capacity and knowledge of Integrated Resources Management Committees (IRMC), and improved

water access of the people in the rural areas as well. Dr. Adhikari further highlighted that proper

water management increased agriculture productivity and raised awareness among the people.

Major lesson learning of the project highlighted was working in an integrated approach in

resources management provides better and sustainable changes.

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4. UBC modeling in Gilgit basin, Pakistan: Potentially replicable to Nepal

Dr. Muhammad Zia Hashmi, GCISC, Pakistan

Dr. Muhammad Zia Hashmi presented his research on modeling Gilgit basin in Pakistan and

discussed its potential replication to Nepal’s river basin since topography and river basin

characters are similar to some extent. Dr. Hashmi discussed about the retreat of glaciers in the

Himalayan region and stressed on water resources planning in transboundary approach.

5. Water security in rapidly urbanizing mid hill towns in Koshi and Gandaki Basins:

Cases from Dhulikhel and Bidur, Kamal Devkota, SIAS

Mr. Kamal Devkota from Southasia Institute of Advanced Studies (SIAS) presented his case

studies from mid hill towns. Dhulikhel and Bidur, on how urbanization is threatening water

security. He highlighted some of the observations as current efforts of community are largely

focused on getting access to water resources and distribution than its conservation and sustainable

management. It has led to rapid trend of water resources capture and is likely to lead to serious

conflict. Some of the conflicts have been already observed in the local level and if they are not

addressed properly, may lead to serious level in future. Mr. Devkota further discussed that local

political vacuum is leading to problem in water resources management as there is huge diversity

of institutions concerning water resources but lack of coordination among them. He also discussed

that decrease in rainfall and discharge has been neglected in water planning and decision making

system.

3.2.9 Thematic Workshop to celebrate World Water Day 2017

A thematic workshop on wastewater and sanitation was organized with the theme ‘Safe and

Optimum use of Waste Water as Valuable Resources’ in Sankar Hotel on 22 March 2017. The

program was divided into three sessions, fist the formal opening session followed by one technical

session and a panel discussion.

The program was inaugurated by the chief gugest Mr. Bhim Prashad Upadhya, secretary of

Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation by lighting the Panas. In his inaugural speech, Mr.

Upadhyaya emphasized to respect our cultural practices in the use of water that help us to reduce

the pollution in water resources.

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In the program, different representatives form government agencies, private sector, academia and

water stakeholders had shared their experiences of working in water sectors, challenges ahead in

reducing water pollution and making the wastewater usable as a backup resource. In the program,

different organization and individual working in water and sanitation sector were also honored

with appreciation letter for their tremendous and continuous effort in the field of sanitation. The

opening session was chaired by Er. Ramdeep Sah, Chairman of SOPHEN.

The opening session was followed by technical session in which four papers related to sanitation,

wastewater treatment and management were presented. Similarly, the technical session was

followed by a panel discussion on Water related SDGs (SDG 6): Status and Implementation

Challenges.

3.2.10 Weather Forecasting Center visit

Weather Forecasting Center visit Programme was arranged on March 23. Altogether 15 people

(Tri-chandra College students and media person) benefited from the programme. The programme

was organized at Weather Forecasting Division of Department of Hydrology and Meteorology

located at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.

3.2.11 Stakeholders Consultation on Hydro-meteorological Services in Nepal

On World Meteorological Day 2017, March 23, DHM/SOHAM Nepal organized Stakeholders

Consultation on Hydro- Meteorological Services in Nepal.

Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma, Director General of DHM, chaired the programme. Stakeholders and

officials from various government and non-government sectors were present during the occasion.

Four technical papers were also presented during the session.

1. Understanding Clouds, Mr. Suman Raj Bhattarai, DHM

2. Glimpse of CFGORRP Projects, Mr. Top Bahadur Khatri, NPM, CFGORRP/DHM

3. Modernization of Hydro-meteorological system in DHM, Mr. Saraju Kumar Baidya,

DDG/DHM

4. Flood Early Warning System in Nepal, Mr. Binod Parajuli, DHM

3.2.12 Closing ceremony

The Chief Guest of the closing ceremony was Honorable Minister, Jay Dev Joshi, Minister,

Ministry of Population and Environment (MoPE). The closing session was chaired by Mr.

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Madhusudan Adhikari, Secretary at WECS and chairperson of NNWWW-2017. Dignitaries on the

dais were Mr. Madhav Belbase, Joint Secretary WECS , Dr. Ram Prasad Lamsal, Officiating

Secretary, Ministry of Population and Environment, Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma, DG,DHM and Dr.

Jagat Kumar Bhusal, President, SOHAM Nepal.

The formal closing session was started with watering a flower plant by the chief guest, Honorable

Minister Jayadev Sharma. Welcoming guest and participants in the programme, Dr. Rishi Ram

Shamra, DG of DHM and Vice-Chair of NNWWW 2017, expressed deep gratitude to all the

organizers, supporters and all the participants of the weeklong program.

In the closing session, different personalities were felicitated for their remarkable contribution in

the field of hydrology, meteorology and water resources sector. Dr. Hari Man Shrestha, Mr. Kiran

Shankar Yogacharya and Prof. Dr. Bidur Prasad Upadhaya were honored by the certificate of

appreciation for their tremendous contribution in this field. Similarly, staff of DHM were awarded

with Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma Disaster Information Award for their invaluable work and

performance in the disaster field. Gauge readers of different hydrologic stations of DHM, Ms.

Parbati Gurung (Gauge Reader: Chisapani) and Mr. Bhadra Bahadur Thapa (Observer: Kusum),

were awarded with the prizes. The Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma Disaster Information Award was

initiated and founded by Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma, DG of DHM, for acknowledging and motivating

the people working in disaster sector in Nepal. Introducing the purpose and background of the

felicitation and awards distribution, Mr. Jagat Kumar Bhusal, Chairperson of SOHAM Nepal,

gave brief introduction about the felicitated people and awardees.

Speaking in the closing programme, Mr. Niranjan Bista, Senior Program Officer of SEN and

Secretary of NNWWW 2017 presented the brief of activities carried out during the week-long

program. He started by talking about the theme of World Water day and World Meteorological

Day and then moved on to show the pictures from the pre activities and all the activities carried

out throughout the week from opening ceremony to the closing ceremony. Further, he highlighted

the activities yet to be carried out as post activities.

Mr. Madhav Belbase, Joint Secretary at WECS and Vice Chair, NNWWW 2017 expressed his

gratefulness to the chief guest, honorable minister Mr. Jay Dev Joshi, other guests and all the

dignitaries. He expressed thanks to all the people and organizations that supported and were

involved in one way or the other. He highlighted the success of the event and contribution by the

organizations to make it a grand event and concluded by expressing deep gratitude to all.

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In his speech, Honorable Minister Jayadev Joshi highlighted the government’s priority on water,

weather and environment field. He further talked about the importance of the joint effort of all the

stakeholders on water sector to meet the government’s targets in addressing water related problem

in the country.

Similarly, addressing the closing session, Officiating Secretary of MoPE Dr. Ram Prasad Lamsal,

talked about the Ministry’s priorities on water and environmental field.

Finally, Mr. Madhusudan Adhikari, Secretary at WECS delivered closing remarks thanking all the

supporting and participating organizations in the NNWWW-2017. Secretary Adhikari urged all

the organizations and stakeholders for their wider participation in the next year programme for the

occasion.

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4 ANNEXES

Annex I: Participating Organization

S.N Organization

1 ADAPT Nepal

2 CARE Nepal

3 Center of Research for Environment Energy and Water (CREEW)

4 Central Department of Environmental Science (CDES,Tribhuwan University)

5 Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (CDHM,Tribhuwan University)

6 Cycle City Network Nepal (CCNN)

7 Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM)

8 Department of Irrigation (DoI))

9 Department of Water Supply and Sewerage (DWSS)

10 Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO)

11 High Powered Committee for Integrated Development of the Bagmati Civilization

(HPCIDBC)

12 Himal Power Limited (HPL)

13 International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

14 International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

15 Jalsrot Vikas Sanstha Nepal/Nepal Water Partnership (JVS/NWP)

16 Kathmandu Metropolitan City(KMC)

17 Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL)

18 Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Management Board (KVWSMB)

19 Ministry of Energy (MoEn)

20 Ministry of Irrigation (MoIr)

21 Ministry of Population and Environment

22 Ministry of Urban Development

23 National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC)

24 Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST)

25 Nepal Engineers Association (NEA)

26 Nepal Mega College

27 Nepal National Community on Irrigation and Drainage

28 NGO Forum for Urban Water and Sanitation (NGO Forum)

29 One Planet Solution /Smart Pani

30 Practical Action Nepal

31 Siddhartha Bank Limited, Shankamul Branch

32 SNV Nepal

33 Society for Environment and Economic Development - Nepal

34 Society of Hydrologists and Meteorologists -(SOHAM-Nepal)

35 Society of Irrigation Engineers Nepal (SIREN)

36 Society of Public Health Engineers Nepal (SOPHEN)

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37 South Asia Institute of Advanced Studies(SIAS)

38 Thames International College

39 The Small Earth Nepal(SEN)

40 United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

41 Water Aid Nepal

42 Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS)

43 World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF- Nepal)

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Annex II: Main Organizing Committee

S. No. Name Position Organization

1 Chair Mr. Mudhusudan Adhikari Secretary WECS

2 Vice-Chair Mr. Madhav Belbase Joint Secretary WECS

3 Vice-Chair Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma Director General DHM

4 Vice-Chair Mr. Rajendra Prasad Adhikari Director General DoI

5 Vice-Chair Mr. Tej Raj Bhatta Director General DWSS

6 General Secretary Mr. Purshottam Sharma Under Secretary WECS

7 Secretary Mr. Niranjan Bista Senior Program Officer SEN

8 Treasurer Ms. Sangita Maharjan Executive Member SEN

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Annex III: Some Media Coverages

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Annex IV: Photographs of the Event

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Annex VI: Program Schedule

1. Opening Ceremony

Nepal National Water and Weather Week (NNWWW) 2017

Opening Ceremony

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

17 March 2017

Walkathon: Maitighar Mandala (7 AM) to Department of Irrigation (DoI), Jawalakhel

Cycle Rally: Patan Durbar Square (7 AM) to DoI, Jawalakhel

Time: 8 AM- 10 AM

Venue: Meeting Hall, Department of Irrigation, Jawalakhel

Time Program Details

8:00 - 8:15 Registration of the participants/guests

Arrival of the Chief Guest

8:15 - 8:20

Dignitaries on the Dias

1. Chairperson: Mr. Madhusudan Adhikari Secretary, WECS

2. Chief Guest: Honorable Janardan Sharma (Prabhakar), Minister, Ministry of Energy

3. Special Guest: Mr. Anup Kumar Upadhyay, Secretary, Ministry of Energy

4. Special Guest: Er. Bhim Prasad Upadhyaya , Secretary, Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation

5. Special Guest: Dr. Bishwa Nath Oli, Secretary, Ministry of Population and Environment

6. Special Guest: Mr. Ramanand Prasad Yadav Secretary, Ministry of Irrigation

7. Guest: Mr. Madhav Belbase, Joint-Secretary WECS, Vice Chairman-ICID, Vice Chair-NNWWW 2017

8. Guest: Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma, DG, DHM, Vice Chair, NNWWW 2017

9. Guest: Mr. Tej Raj Bhatta, DG, DWSS, Vice- Chair, NNWWW 2017

10. Guest: Mr. Saroj Pandit, Officiating DG, DoI,

11. Guest: Dr. David James Molden, DG, ICIMOD

12. Guest: Mr. Fraser Sugden, Head of office, IWMI Nepal

13. Guest: Mr. Achyut Luitel, Director, Practical Action Nepal

14. Guest: Ms. Tripti Rai, Country Director, WaterAid Nepal

15. Guest: Mr. Anil Manandhar, Country Representative, WWF Nepal

8:20 - 8:25 Welcome Speech and highlights on the activities of the Nepal National Water and Weather Week 2017 by. Mr.

Madhav Belbase ,Vice Chair, NNWWW 2017

8:25 - 8:30 Lucky Draw for Cyclist

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8:30 - 8:35 Inauguration of NNWWW 2017 by the Chief Guest

8:35 - 8:40 Remarks by Mr. Anil Manandhar, Country Representative, WWF Nepal

8:40 - 8:45 Remarks by Ms. Tripti Rai, Country Director, WaterAid Nepal

8:45 - 8:50 Remarks by Mr. Achyut Luitel, Director, Practical Action Nepal

8:50 - 9:00 Remarks by Mr. Fraser Sugden, Head of office, IWMI Nepal

9:00 - 9:05 Remarks by Dr. David James Molden, DG, ICIMOD

9:05 - 9:10 Remarks by Mr. Saroj Pandit, Officiating DG, DoI,

9:10 - 9:15 Remarks by Mr. Tej Raj Bhatta, DG, DWSS, Vice Chair, NNWWW 2017

9:15 - 9:20 Remarks by Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma, DG, DHM, Vice- Chair, NNWWW 2017

9:20 - 9:25 Remarks by Mr. Ramanand Prasad Yadav Secretary, Ministry of Irrigation

9:25 - 9:30 Remarks by Dr. Bishwa Nath Oli, Secretary, Ministry of Population and Environment

9:30 - 9:35 Remarks by Er. Bhim Prasad Upadhyaya , Secretary, Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation

9:35 - 9:45 Remarks by Mr. Anup Kumar Upadhyay, Secretary, Ministry of Energy

9:50 - 10:00 Remarks by Honorable Janardan Sharma (Prabhakar), Minister, Ministry of Energy

10:00 –10:05 Chairperson’s Remarks and Closing of the Inaugural Session

Inaugural Ceremony will be followed by Refreshment

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3. Closing Ceremony

Nepal National Water and Weather Week (NNWWW) 2017

(Celebrating World Water Day and World Meteorological Day)

Date: 23 March 2017

Venue: Hotel Yellow Pagoda, Shashikala Smriti Hall.

Part I: Stakeholders Consultation on Hydro-meteorological Services in Nepal

Technical Session

Chair: Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma, DG, DHM, Co-Chair, NNWWW- 2017

MC: Mr. Barun Paudel

8:30-9:00 Guests and participants arrival and registration/ Tea/Coffee

9:00- 9:05 Welcome speech by Dr. Jagadishor Karmacharya, DDG, DHM

9:05-9:30 Understanding Clouds, Mr. Suman Raj Bhattarai, DHM

9:30-9:55 Glimpse of CFGORRP Projects, Mr. Top Bahadur Khatri, NPM, CFGORRP/DHM

9:55-10:20 Modernization of Hydro-meteorological system in DHM, Mr. Saraju Kumar Baidya. DDG/DHM

10:20-10:45 Flood Early Warning System in Nepal, Mr. Binod Parajuli, DHM

10:45-11:00 Questions and Answers to all the presenters

11:00- 11:05 Closing Remarks by Chair Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma, DG, DHM ,Co-Chair, NNWWW- 2017

11:05-11:20: Tea/Coffee

Part II: Closing Ceremony of Nepal National Water and Weather Week 2017

Chairperson: Mr. Madhusudan Adhikari, Secretary- WECS , Chair-NNWWW 2017

Chief Guest: Honorable Minister Jay Dev Joshi, Ministry of Population and Environment

MC: Ms. Chanda Ghimire

11:20-11:25 Dignitaries on the dais

Chairperson: Mr. Madhusudan Adhikari Secretary, WECS

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Chief Guest: Honorable Jay Dev Joshi, Minister, Ministry of Population and Environment

Guest: Mr. Anup Kumar Upadhyay, Secretary, Ministry of Energy

Guest: Er. Bhim Prasad Upadhyaya , Secretary, Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation

Guest: Mr. Ramanand Prasad Yadav Secretary, Ministry of Irrigation

Guest: Dr. Jagat Kumar Bhusal, Chairperson, Electricity Tariff Fixation Commission, GoN and

SOHAM Nepal

Guest: Dr. Ram Prasad Lamsal, Officiating Secretary, Ministry of Population and Environment

Mr. Madhav Belbase, Joint-Secretary WECS, Vice Chair-NNWWW 2017

Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma, DG, DHM, Vice Chair, NNWWW 2017

11:25-11:35 Welcome speech by Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma, DG, DHM, Vice Chair, NNWWW 2017

11:35-11:40 Inauguration of Week-long NNWWW -2017 Closing Ceremony by Chief Guest

11:40-11:50 Highlights of Nepal National Water and Weather Week 2017 by Mr. Niranjan Bista, Secretary,

NNWWW 2017, The Small Earth Nepal

11:50-12:00 Distribution of certificates to the supporters of NNWWW 2017

12:00-12:20 Speech by Dr. Jagat Kumar Bhusal, Chairperson, SOHAM Nepal and Electricity Tariff Fixation

Commission, GoN and Felicitation and Award Distribution

12:20-12:25 Speech by Felicitated person

12:25-12:30 Speech by Award Winner

12:30-12:35 Speech by Dr. Ram Prasad Lamsal, Officiating Secretary, Ministry of Population and

Environment

12:35-12:40 Speech by Er. Ramanand Prasad Yadav, Secretary, Ministry of Irrigation

12:40-12:45 Speech by Er. Bhim Prasad Upadhyaya , Secretary, Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation

12:45-12:50 Speech by Er. Anup Kumar Upadhyay, Secretary, Ministry of Energy

12:50-13:00 Remarks by Chief Guest

13:00-13:10 Vote of Thanks by Mr. Madhav Belbase, Joint-Secretary WECS, Vice Chair-NNWWW 2017

13:10-13:20 Chairperson’s Closing remarks

13:20 on wards Closing Ceremony will be followed by Lunch

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Annex VII: Sample Letter of Appreciation

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Annex VIII: Registration sheets of Opening and Closing Ceremony

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