The government’s commitment to harvest rainwater in all its buildings to be constructed henceforth may start the practice of putting rainwater to good uses as this technology can become an effective means of solving Nepal’s acute water shortage to a certain extent. Some NGOs have also come forward to promote this cost effective technology and all the other stakeholders’ involvement is equally important. The Nepal Water Supply Corporation’s Kamaladi office has recently installed the harvesting plant whereas Swornim School at Swoyambu has already set an example as it is successfully harvesting rainwater in its compound. The Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC), which is responsible for constructing all government buildings, also plans to construct a model of rainwater harvesting plant in its own building.

Sources of water are dwindling in Nepal because of global warming and a host of polluting factors. The Kathmandu Valley is supplied with only 50 per cent of its actual water demand during the dry season.

Experts say that if only 25 per cent of the total residents of the Kathmandu Valley harvested rainwater, it would generate as much as 44.5 million litres per day. Therefore, the promotion of rainwater harvesting, similar to that of the generation of energy through the installation of solar panels, can go a long way in dealing with this recurring problem on a long-term basis. Nepali scientists and researchers would do well to find more cheaper and reliable technologies of harvesting rainwater, which is the primary source of water on earth. Unfortunately, the over-extraction of groundwater has led to the depletion of water table in many areas, degradation of water quality and receding of river beds. The government should take necessary steps to harvest rainwater in government buildings as a matter of rule. By installing affordable harvesting plants, the government will do well to encourage individual harvesters to help meet the water shortages.