The degradation of spring water resources in Nepal: some policy gaps
In this study, first, we conducted a case study to understand the spring status in a semi-urban area, then synthesized the knowledge acquired so far, of nationwide springs status to highlight the current state and future policy and action implications of spring conservation in Nepal. We found that i...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
IWA Publishing
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Water Policy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://wpol.iwaponline.com/content/25/4/338 |
| _version_ | 1827951076552212480 |
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| author | Raju Chauhan Archana Shrestha Sang Eun Oh Anup Gurung |
| author_facet | Raju Chauhan Archana Shrestha Sang Eun Oh Anup Gurung |
| author_sort | Raju Chauhan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, first, we conducted a case study to understand the spring status in a semi-urban area, then synthesized the knowledge acquired so far, of nationwide springs status to highlight the current state and future policy and action implications of spring conservation in Nepal. We found that in 72% of the springs of semi-urban areas, the discharge rate has been decreasing over the past decade. In addition, the springs of such areas were exposed to higher contamination of biological pollutants compared with the rural areas. Synthesis of spring research in Nepal shows that springs of Nepal are degrading at an alarming rate where 16% had already dried up and about 60% have declining discharge, mainly due to declining rainfall, haphazard infrastructure development, and excessive spring resource exploitation. In response to the degrading springs and water crisis, several initiatives have been made, yet they are scattered, focused on limited springs, and not adequate to curb the current rate of spring degradation. We argue that the existing policies that are intended to operate in a top-down approach at the basin and watershed level are not effective in addressing local water issues at the springshed level.
HIGHLIGHTS
The status of spring degradation in Nepal is comprehensively explored.;
The spring survey results showed that 72% of the springs had a decreased flow.;
Loopholes in existing policies and efforts for spring conservation are identified.;
Key considerations for formulating a dedicated spring conservation policy have been suggested.; |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T13:35:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3df579b9470b46f095f0c5d414c50e0c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1366-7017 1996-9759 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T13:35:56Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | IWA Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water Policy |
| spelling | doaj.art-3df579b9470b46f095f0c5d414c50e0c2023-05-09T08:21:17ZengIWA PublishingWater Policy1366-70171996-97592023-04-0125433835810.2166/wp.2023.159159The degradation of spring water resources in Nepal: some policy gapsRaju Chauhan0Archana Shrestha1Sang Eun Oh2Anup Gurung3 Department of Environmental Science Patan Multiple Campus, Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur 44700, Nepal Central Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur 44613, Nepal Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwondo 24341, South Korea Department of Biological Environment, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwondo 24341, South Korea In this study, first, we conducted a case study to understand the spring status in a semi-urban area, then synthesized the knowledge acquired so far, of nationwide springs status to highlight the current state and future policy and action implications of spring conservation in Nepal. We found that in 72% of the springs of semi-urban areas, the discharge rate has been decreasing over the past decade. In addition, the springs of such areas were exposed to higher contamination of biological pollutants compared with the rural areas. Synthesis of spring research in Nepal shows that springs of Nepal are degrading at an alarming rate where 16% had already dried up and about 60% have declining discharge, mainly due to declining rainfall, haphazard infrastructure development, and excessive spring resource exploitation. In response to the degrading springs and water crisis, several initiatives have been made, yet they are scattered, focused on limited springs, and not adequate to curb the current rate of spring degradation. We argue that the existing policies that are intended to operate in a top-down approach at the basin and watershed level are not effective in addressing local water issues at the springshed level. HIGHLIGHTS The status of spring degradation in Nepal is comprehensively explored.; The spring survey results showed that 72% of the springs had a decreased flow.; Loopholes in existing policies and efforts for spring conservation are identified.; Key considerations for formulating a dedicated spring conservation policy have been suggested.;http://wpol.iwaponline.com/content/25/4/338actiondrying springspring policywater crisiswater pollution |
| spellingShingle | Raju Chauhan Archana Shrestha Sang Eun Oh Anup Gurung The degradation of spring water resources in Nepal: some policy gaps Water Policy action drying spring spring policy water crisis water pollution |
| title | The degradation of spring water resources in Nepal: some policy gaps |
| title_full | The degradation of spring water resources in Nepal: some policy gaps |
| title_fullStr | The degradation of spring water resources in Nepal: some policy gaps |
| title_full_unstemmed | The degradation of spring water resources in Nepal: some policy gaps |
| title_short | The degradation of spring water resources in Nepal: some policy gaps |
| title_sort | degradation of spring water resources in nepal some policy gaps |
| topic | action drying spring spring policy water crisis water pollution |
| url | http://wpol.iwaponline.com/content/25/4/338 |
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