Water Security Issues and Assessment Tools in the Himalayan Region

Achieving urban water security, particularly in mountainous regions of Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), is a major challenge for sustainable development. Water security problems here in HKH are often systemic but governed by diverse factors with complex interactions among each other. Hence, this study attempts to examine the complex linkages between water security and urban management at a local level of two countries, namely Nepal and Bangladesh learning from the experience of India. The systematic study will (1) identify underlying geographical, climatic, institutional and socio-economic vulnerabilities, (2) assess their impacts on urban mountain communities, and (3) document current and potential adaptation mechanisms to strengthen water security. Unlike indicators-based water security framework, this study will consider perception-based measures applying a mix of participatory research methods namely in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. To collect and analyze data tools like problem and solution tree, seasonal calendars and participatory GIS will be seamlessly integrated into the study. The major outcomes expected from the study include an issue brief that will help in developing framework guidelines for policymakers to engage with local water users for greater collective resource management. The study will also facilitate the sharing of knowledge by exchange visits and train young researchers on linking science with policy through participatory research.

Project ID: CRECS2020-06MY-Maharjan

Project Partner Countries: Nepal, India, and Bangladesh

Project Starting Date: 1 October, 2021

Project Ending Date: 30 October, 2023

Funding Agency:Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN), Japan

Project Collaborators:

  • Dr. Menuka Maharjan, Associate Professor, School of Forestry and Natural Resource Management, Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Prof. Dr Arun Kansal, Dean(Academics), The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi, India
  • Dr. Sudeshna M Sen, Deputy Manager, Climate Action, Dr. Reddy's Foundation, Hyderbad, India
  • Dr. Sara Nowreen, Associate Professor, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Dr. Fawzia Tarannum, Assistant Professor, the Coca-Cola Department of Regional Water Studies at the TERI School of Advanced Studies (TERI SAS), New Delhi, India
  • Prof. Dr. Mohammad Mosharraf  Hossain,  Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong (IFESCU), Chittagong, Bangladesh

Upcomming Project  Activities:

Inception workshop and training: 22 April to 7 May 2022

For Further Details Please Contact:

Dr. Menuka Maharjan

Associate Professor

Project Principal Investigator

Email: menuka.maharjan@iof.tu.edu.np, menuka48maharjan@gmail.com

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