LALITPUR, APRIL 6
Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal has highlighted the need to reap economic benefits through integrated management and multiple use of water resources.
At a programme organised by the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation and various research organisations related to water resources sector here today, the minister argued that natural resources were the mainstay of socio-economic development of the country. She also drew the attention of stakeholder agencies towards proper utilisation of natural resources.
Stating that there were challenges in water management, Bhusal asserted, "More than 80 per cent of water is available during the monsoon season.
Due to lack of proper utilisation of water, we are forced to deal with natural disasters such as landslide and flood, incurring huge financial loss every year.
Attributing the lack of water during dry season for drinking, irrigation and electricity generation to the effects of climate change on biodiversity, the minister explained, "Glaciers are melting due to the effects of climate change and natural disasters such as heavy rainfall and drought are affecting overall sectors."
She stressed the need to find solution to the problem by conducting integrated research and study on energy and food crisis triggered by climate change, take measures for conservation of biodiversity, and development and management of water resources.
Minister Bhusal expressed hope that the development of climate-friendly irrigation system would help reduce the existing agriculture trade deficit by increasing productivity. Similarly, Buddha Bahadur Gurung, member of Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission, underscored the need to adopt integrated utilisation of water resources, arguing that proper management of water resources could aid in the socio-economic development of the country.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 7, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
