Water poverty in Western Nepal: assessment of Alital Rural Municipality in Rangun watershed

Abstract

Water poverty is an emerging issue in Nepal. Several factors, including population growth, climate change, land-use transitions, and poorly planned road construction, significantly impact water quality and quantity. Water poverty in Alital Rural Municipality, Dadeldhura, in Rangun Watershed is examined in this study. Elements of the water poverty index (WPI) were used – (i) access, (ii) resource, (iii) use, (iv) capacity, and (v) environment. The WPI was determined as 57, indicating a medium-low level of water poverty. The WPI for the various wards, the smallest administrative units, ranged from 54 to 64. The environment component yielded the highest score, the use component the lowest. Water use for household and agricultural purposes was negligible compared to other uses. Effective water management plans are essential for increasing household water use and consumption in the watershed. The WPI can be used as an integrated tool for water resource management at various scales, from local to national, by linking all environmental factors to identify and prioritize the areas that require immediate management interventions for integrated, multi-disciplinary, and sustainable water resource management. HIGHLIGHTS Nepal, despite being water-rich, is experiencing increasing water poverty and scarcity.; The water poverty indicators and issues differ with location, so it is important to select appropriate indicators.; In certain areas, accessibility to water resources is particularly low, forcing people to travel long distances to meet their water needs.; Alital Rural Municipality has a medium-low WPI, with ward 7 having the worst water poverty.; The WPI takes access to resources, the environment, and human capacity for using them into account, making it an effective integrated tool for water resource management.;

Keywords

• access
• capacity
• environment
• integrated tool
• water resource management