ONE VILLAGE ONE POND: REVIVAL OF CONVENTIONAL WATER HARVESTING TECHNIQUE

摘要

Nepal is vulnerable to climate change and global warming. Rainfall pattern is changing, watersources diminishing, disasters like fl oods and landslides increasing resulting in decrease ofproductivity and sustainability of marginal lands. For improvement in the condition, programfor conservation of water and its proper utilization by trapping small sources, harvesting rainwater and controlling wastage could be initiated as entry point.This paper describes about revival of traditional practice of rainwater harvesting in Nepal.In the hills water is collected in small ponds and generally utilized for animals and domesticpurposes. In the plain areas water is collected in relatively larger depression and is utilizedfor irrigation and domestic purposes. This tradition is waning rapidly and is creating adverseeffect in the water conservation and environment of the areas. Some initiative is needed forconservation of the resources and re-establishment of traditional practice with wider coverageand multipurpose benefi ts. A volunteer campaign program called ‘Ek Gaun Ek Pokhari’ (onevillage one pond) program for speedy implementation with active participation from thebenefi ciaries is being launched in Nepal. The program gives high priority for mobilization ofnational and local volunteers for construction of the ponds with fi nancial support from thegovernment. Implementation of the program can help water conservation, environmentalimprovement, health and education facility improvement and livelihood enhancement in therural areas of Nepal.