27 April 2018

Case: Rural Water Supply, Munag Village, Nepal

Author/Compiled by
Manoj K. Pandey (Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University)
Petter D. Jenssen (Norwegian University of Life Sciences)

 

Manung is a small village in the Tanahun district of Nepal. Source: PANDEY (2012)

In the area of Manung VDC, several factors lead to water stress: For one part, precipitation varies strongly during the year with eight dry months being replaced by four months of monsoon, leading to surplus water. Furthermore, a high proportion (over 90 per cent) of the inhabitants practice substistance agriculture (see also linking up sustainable sanitation water management and agriculture, optimisation of water use in agriculture, reuse in agriculture and conservation of soil moisture). As almost every of these households owns livestock, there is excess need for water. Supporting institutions and specific knowledge for action are lacking, but would be necessary in order to tackle this problem (see also developing human resources).

In this case, you will look at the Manung scenario more closely: In groups, you will discuss and work out possible solutions for the problems related to water and present them to the whole class.

Further Readings

Local Responses to Too Much and Too Little Water in the Greater Himalayan Region

The Himalayan region has always had either too much or too little water. Today, however, it experiences a large range of changes due to climatic shifts. This report presents people’s efforts to respond, cope, and adapt to those alterations.

ICIMOD (2009): Local Responses to Too Much and Too Little Water in the Greater Himalayan Region. Kathmandu, Nepal: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) URL [Accessed: 27.09.2012]

Engineers Without Borders

A case study of a rural village in the Indian state Tamil Nadu focusing on alternative sources of water because of depleting groundwater and pollution of the nearby rivers.

OLSEN, D. CAMPBELL, C. (2009): Engineers Without Borders. Rainwater Harvesting Case Study. Ontario, Canada: Waterloo Faculty of Engineering

Water Related Stress in Nepal

Even though Nepal is considered as one of the most water rich countries in the world, it faces diverse problems related to water stress. This one-page summary shows why there are such problems.

PANDEY, M. K. (n.y): Water Related Stress in Nepal.

Application of Appropriate Technology for Rural Water Supply

Application of appropriate rural water supply methods is an important precondition to achieve universal access to safe water for all. This paper gives an overview on low cost traditional techniques experiences by UNICEF operations in developing countries.

ZELENIKA, M. (1991): Application of Appropriate Technology for Rural Water Supply. In: Rudarsko-geolosko-naftni zbornik: Volume 3 , 85-88. URL [Accessed: 27.09.2012]

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