The degradation of spring water resources in Nepal: some policy gaps

Abstract

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.;

Keywords

• action
• drying spring
• spring policy
• water crisis
• water pollution