Lalitpur, March 22:

The Godavari area, one of the three major water sources in the Kathmandu Valley, is gradually drying up due to rapid deforestation in the vicinity.

The water level at Nau Dhara and Godavari Kunda is decreasing. The locals complain that the rampant deforestation in the area is the reason behind decrease in the water level. The barren hills speak of the widespread deforestation themselves. The Godavari Marble factory and deforestation have affected the water sources. Baburam Nakarmi, coordinator of a tree plantation programme, said the marble factory has made the hills barren and destroyed the water sources.

One tree has the capacity to preserve more than 2,000 litres of water per year and emit approximately 1,000 kg oxygen. Nakarmi said a tree can earn around Rs 31, 000 per year. “If deforestation continues at this rate, fight for water will trigger the third world war in 2025,” he said. He stressed the need for concerted effort of the government and the civil society to preserve trees.

According to Nakarmi, if the three major watersheds — Shivapuri, Nagarkot and Godavari and surrounding hills — are properly managed, Kathmandu will never face shortage of drinking water. He further said it would help the government to cut the cost of channelling water from Melamchi.

Water is also supplied to the Kathmandu Valley in tankers from Godavari Kunda. The decrease in the water level has also affected city dwellers.

Deepak Acharya, programme officer of the Youth Awareness Environmental Forum, said Godavari is the one of the major areas of biodiversity in Nepal. “Forest resources should be protected not only for water, but also for maintaining ecological balance.”