KATHMANDU: Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS) and WWF Nepal yesterday launched the Indrawati Sub-Basin Project on the occasion of World Water Day. The project aims at reducing significantly the vulnerability of people, biodiversity and economic investments in the face of climate change and other local anthropogenic activities. The three-year project is being funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and WWF-Finland. Launching the project, Minister for Energy Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat said, “The government of Nepal appreciates the support of the Finnish Government and the WWF to translate the National Water Plan-2005 into action.” Indrawati sub-basin, one of the seven sub-basins of the Koshi River Basin, is located in the mid-hills of the central region of Nepal. Considering the sub-river basin as a single unit, the project will focus on parts of Sindhupalchok, Kavre and Kathmandu districts that fall under this sub-basin.Secretary of WECS Kishore Thapa said: “Through the project, stakeholders will be made aware of the Integrated River Basin Management concepts, rights of access to water and other natural resources and existing regulatory framework”. Jon Miceler, Managing Director — Eastern Himalayas — of WWF US said, “Integrated Water Resources Management is a strong tool for freshwater adaptation to address conservation concerns while at the same time ensuring wise use of water resources.” The project is a part of the larger Koshi River Basin Management Programme jointly initiated by WECS and WWF Nepal.