Water Source Conflict in Nepal: A Right to Water Perspective
Publisher: Water Aid in Nepal
Author(s): Rabin Lal Shrestha
Date: 2012
Topics: Basic Services, Conflict Prevention, Cooperation, Gender, Governance, Livelihoods, Renewable Resources
Countries: Nepal
The importance of the rights to water and sanitation in ensuring people’s wellbeing
and dignity is increasingly acknowledged globally. These rights are included in the
constitution under draft of Nepal, reflecting a political and financial commitment to
increasing access to water in the country. Empowered local communities are also
more aware of their rights than ever before.
However, this increased awareness of the right to water is resulting in conflict over
water sources and programmes. People are becoming vocal in their demands for
safe water while communities, private landowners and local governments are often
unwilling to provide or share water sources.
To analyse this water source conflict in detail, WaterAid in Nepal, in partnership
with the Federation of Water and Sanitation Users in Nepal (FEDWASUN), carried
out a study covering 146 cases across 12 districts.