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, water sources diminishing, disasters like fl oods and landslides increasing resulting in decrease of productivity and sustainability of marginal lands. For improvement in the condition, program for conservation of water and its proper utilization by trapping small sources, harvesting rain water 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 domestic purposes. In the plain areas water is collected in relatively larger depression and is utilized for irrigation and domestic purposes. This tradition is waning rapidly and is creating adverse effect in the water conservation and environment of the areas. Some initiative is needed for conservation of the resources and re-establishment of traditional practice with wider coverage and multipurpose benefi ts. A volunteer campaign program called ‘Ek Gaun Ek Pokhari’ (one village one pond) program for speedy implementation with active participation from the benefi ciaries is being launched in Nepal. The program gives high priority for mobilization of national and local volunteers for construction of the ponds with fi nancial support from the government. Implementation of the program can help water conservation, environmental improvement, health and education facility improvement and livelihood enhancement in the rural areas of Nepal.