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Publication: Glaciers, Rivers, and Springs: A Water Sector Diagnos-
tic of Nepal
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Abstract
Nepal is rich in water resources with a dense network of glaci-
ers, lakes, rivers, and springs that originate in the Himalayas.
However, only an estimated 15 billion cubic meters (BCM) of
the 225 BCM water available annually is utilized for economic
and social purposes. Several elements have contributed to
this low rate of utilization, including Nepal’s rugged geogra-
phy, inadequate institutional capacity, a history of prolonged
political instability, and highly skewed seasonality - more than
VIEWS 80 percent of the precipitation in a year falls within a span of
787 four months. For sustained economic growth and poverty re-
duction, and to enhance shared prosperity, Nepal must in-
crease its investments in water-related infrastructure and in-
stitutions and improve the e!ectiveness of these investments.
DOWNLOADS Although there is much to be done to harness this vital re-
444 source, it is important to broaden the development focus and
integrate hydropower in a larger water resource management
strategy. This strategy will ensure that water is available for
basic and economic needs - even through the dry season - as
a core component of Nepal’s overall development plan. Given
Files in English Nepal’s development context and challenges, this document
English PDF (10.56 MB) aims to analyze the most pressing sector challenges and iden-
382 downloads tify strategic sector priorities that are aligned with the coun-
English Text (216.3 KB) try’s partnership framework. It o!ers a snapshot of water in
62 downloads Nepal’s development story and situates the water sector in the
broader context of the national economy, highlighting the im-
Published portance of managing water resources for sustained econom-
2022 ic growth and poverty reduction. It then presents five pressing
sector-related challenges and concludes with a set of priority
Date areas.
2022-03-30
Citation
Author(s) “Shrestha, Anne; Joseph, George. 2022. Glaciers, Rivers, and
Springs: A Water Sector Diagnostic of Nepal. © World Bank.
Shrestha, Anne
[Link] License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”
Joseph, George
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