DHANGADHI: It has been stressed to formulate policy for protecting the water sources at six wards of Chure Rural Municipality.
The participants of the discussion program organized by Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) stressed to preserve the water sources for solving the acute drinking water shortage during dry season. The participants were speaking at a Paani discussions organized by NEFEJ.
The people of six wards at Chure Rural Municipality have to depend on river water for drinking, said Yogendra Bahadur Shah, president of Thuligad Irigation Water Users Committee, Kaflagaira. “The water sources are getting dried due to lack of preservation,” he said.
According to Lok Bahadur Saru Magar, member of Community Forest Users Federation, the water sources are damaged due to road construction, which needs to follow the Environment Impact Assessment report.
Faltunge of Chure Rural Municipality-6 has been facing drinking water problem for years. However, no one has given priority to address their problem. “Women are forced to go to river for bringing drinking water at 3 AM,” said Khagisara BK. “The rural municipality should prove us water even by lifting.”
Deepa Devi Saud, deputy chief of Chure Rural Municipality, insisted allocating budget for protecting water sources. Dhan Bahadur Roka Magar, chief of Chure Rural Municipality expressed commitment to formulate policy on water biodiversity and environment and implement it. “Though there are water sources, we have been unable to protect them,” he said. “Local body alone cannot do everything. Locals also should show interest in it.”
The local body representatives of Chure Rural Municipality issued 10-point commitments at the discussion program, coordinated by Amrita KC and participated by stakeholders and locals.
