Kathmandu. Minister for Drinking Water Pradeep Yadav has said it was the need of the hour to adopt a sustainable and scientific system in the field of drinking water, water resources and irrigation.

Inaugurating the ‘1st Nepal Jalbhugarbha Sammelan’ organised by Nepal Hydrogeological Association here today, he stressed the need of conducting studies and research based on scientific facts for sustainable use of underground irrigation in agriculture.

Minister Yadav said, “For the prosperity of the nation, it is necessary to formulate an effective plan after holding important discussions focusing on the use of groundwater, sustainable management, disaster reduction caused by groundwater pollution, environmental destruction, climate change and its effects.” ’

Minister Yadav said that the first need of the citizens is considered to be the main basis of the country’s economic prosperity along with the easy supply of drinking water. He stressed the need to adopt a scientific approach regarding the use, management and conservation of water resources.

He said that due to the deepening effects of climate change and uncontrolled population growth, there is a lot of pressure on the water resources on the surface, so its direct impact is seen in the form of rapid exploitation of ground water resources. He said that everyone should be aware that this can cause serious problems in the long run.

Stating that groundwater has a direct impact on the lives of millions of people in the Terai region of Nepal, Minister Yadav stressed the need for cooperation and coordination among all for its conservation. “We often talk about rivers, lakes and waterfalls flowing through the mountains, but a large part of our prosperity is groundwater hidden underground,” he said, adding, “It is an invisible but invaluable resource, which has become indispensable for agriculture, industry and daily life.” ’

Stating that the suggestions and findings received from the conference should be made available to the federal and provincial governments, Minister Yadav expressed the belief that it would contribute to resolving the long-term problems of the areas affected by lack of drinking water. “I would like to convey my best wishes for the full success and important findings of this conference organized with the objective of contributing to sustainable solution of drinking water and overall development,” he said. ’

Engineer Ram Kumar Shrestha, director general of the Department of Drinking Water and Sewerage Management, said that the people are suffering from the problem of drinking water due to the drying up of chapakals in the Tarai due to climate change. He said that the Ministry and the Department have been working in coordination to provide immediate relief in the Tarai region and to find a long-term solution.

“We are committed and are providing immediate relief to solve the problems that we are facing now,” he said. In the long run, solid policy formulation and scientific studies are necessary for balanced distribution and use of water across the country. ’

Director General of the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation, Mitra Baral, expressed the belief that such conferences would be an important forum for the conservation, long-term use and solution of water crisis. “A long-term solution to drinking water is possible only if the concerned ministries, experts and policy makers come forward with a scientific research-based plan,” he said. ’

Renowned experts related to water management in Nepal as well as abroad, representatives of various agencies of the Government of Nepal, representatives of Tribhuvan University, NGOs and concerned organizations, as well as about 150 geologists, groundwater experts, engineers, environmental experts, among others, are participating in the program.