During a pivotal gathering organized by the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat on “Water Resource Management of Kamala River Basin” in Janakpurdham, stakeholders highlighted the inseparable link between Chure region conservation and effective water resource management and disaster recovery. Representatives from Kamala River catchment areas emphasized that the ongoing unregulated excavation of the Chure region is a primary cause of disasters in Madhes and called for urgent measures to curb this uncontrolled exploitation.
Nathu Prasad Chaudhary, Vice Chairman of the Policy and Planning Commission of Madhes Province, underscored the critical state of Madhesh’s ecosystem due to unmanaged human activities in the Chure region. He stressed that the declining water levels in Madhes have adversely impacted livelihoods, leading to issues like flooding and inundation that have severely affected the agricultural sector, a cornerstone of the nation’s food supply. Chaudhary warned of Madhesh turning into a desert within a decade or two if current practices persist unchecked, urging the collaboration of all government tiers and development partners in drafting a Chure Conservation Act.
Sushil Chandra Tiwari, Secretary at the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat, highlighted the government’s efforts to implement sustainable water resource management strategies in river basins.
Additionally, Ashok Kumar Sah, Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development of Madhes Province, identified the lack of coordination among various agencies, projects, and institutions in the Kamala River basin. He called for the establishment of an integrated mechanism to streamline coordination among these entities.
Mayors from several municipalities, including Kamala, Ganeshman Charnath, Sabaila, Katari, and Dudhauli, urged the government to create an official mechanism involving all stakeholders from affected areas.
Kavitha Kasynathan, Head of Development Cooperation at the Australian Embassy in Kathmandu, expressed readiness for collaboration in primary areas concerning Kamala River Basin Water Resource Management and Development Strategy.
This crucial conversation emphasized the urgency of Chure region preservation to ensure water resource sustainability, disaster prevention, and the preservation of livelihoods in Madhes, emphasizing the need for collaborative, integrated efforts at various levels of governance.
