Kathmandu, August 5

The government is preparing to mark 43rd anniversary of the establishment of Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management on August 8.

The government established Department of Soil and Water Conservation in August, 1974 under the then Ministry of Forests.

Similarly, in 1980, it was renamed Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management to better represent its roles and responsibilities of watershed management.

According to Director General at DSCWM Bijaya Raj Paudyal, the government would also mark Soil Conservation Day on the occasion with the slogan ‘Watershed management in federal Nepal, basis for sustainable development.’ Poudyal said awareness programmes and formal events will be organised to mark the day.

DSCWM has been planning, implementing and monitoring soil conservation and watershed management programmes and activities based on the principles of integrated watershed management.

According to the department, soil erosion is an inherent characteristic of Nepal’s physio-climatic and socio-economic conditions. Sharp physiographic and climatic contrasts in combination with other natural phenomena contribute to the fragility of mountains in the country.

The combined effect of geologically unstable, steep and rugged mountain topography and intense monsoon rainfall make the country prone to high soil erosion rates.