Project Description
Phase 1: 2013-2014
Traditional water sources, such as natural springs or shallow groundwater, have been used as sites for public water consumption for centuries in Nepal. They are valuable assets for rural and urban communities across the country. The project evaluated the current condition and use of these sources and identified protection and improvement measures for their sustainable conservation and utilization as adaptation measures for climate change in poor isolated communities.
The study covered a wide range of districts in Nepal to assess the current environmental situation of traditional sources and their catchments, update information about the socio-cultural attachment of communities to the sources, assess their status and value as a climate change adaptation measure, document existing conservation practices, and identify potential protection measures. The team also analyzed the likely impacts of climate change on traditional water sources and their catchments in selected districts representing different ecological regions of the country. The main output of the technical study was a report summarizing the status of traditional water sources in Nepal, evaluating their value as climate change adaptation measure, and documenting existing conservation practices.
Phase 2: 2022
The main objective of this follow-up assessment was to collect updated information on the status of traditional water resources, infrastructures, community plans and any new developments related to the Traditional Water Resources (TDS). The study also gathered ground information on any changes in the usage, infrastructures, local policies and environmental protection of the TDS. The final output of the assessment was evidence-based identification and analysis of drivers, trends, and community perception of the changes in the TDS in relation to climate induced hazards and impacts. The findings from this assignment were used for revising the original draft report on TDS prepared by ICEM in 2014.
Objectives, Activities, and Results
Phase 1: 2013-2014
The project followed a consultative and participatory approach involving different levels of institutions from the grass roots to the central level.
The project was carried out over a one year period by implementing the following action plan:
- Scoping and inception phase: Selection of the 12 target districts, planning of the tasks to be done during the site visits and design of the field assessment tools
- Preparation and selection of sites: Participatory consultations with stakeholders at central, district and local levels to identify and select sites for assessment
- Field assessment: Technical assessments of the sources and catchments. Consultations with the users and government agencies working in the district and village level.
- Identification of issues and prioritization of adaptation and conservation options: Consultations, technical and socio-cultural analysis.
- Preparation of field reports and presentation of major findings from the field
- Preparation of draft report, consultation and presentations
- Preparation of final report
Phase 2: 2022
- Field-based data collection from select water source sites and concerned communities (catchment, infrastructures, use, protection efforts so far invested between 2013 till now);
- Analysis and comprehensive documentation of existing practice, knowledge and changes occurred in relation to the TDS, climate hazards/impacts, local policies, community-based efforts to protect the TDS, etc.; and
- Revision of the original draft final report with incorporation of information on trends and changes observed and perceived in the field.
