ACHHAM: The elected representatives of Panchdewal-Binayak Municipality in Achham district have expressed commitment to give high priority to the protection water sources for resolving drinking water crisis.
After water sources at almost of the wards get dried, the local have suffered from acute drinking water shortage, especially during dry season. Speaking at a Paani Chalfal program organized by Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ), participants underlined the importance of water for all animals and plants.
They urged the local government to provide clean drinking water to the people. The elected representatives assured to give first priority to it.
“We will develop master plan relating to sources and supply clean drinking water to people,” said Mayor Devraj Devkota of Panchdewal-Binayak Municipality. “We will mange water sources where available and connect with other sources where water sources are unavailable,” he said.
According to Devkota, some villages are too far from the water sources and they have demanded the provincial government to provide budget.
All ward chairpersons expressed commitments at the program organized by Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists to protect water sources while carrying out every construction works.When developing intake for working on drinking water projects, it should be kept at least 20m away from the source of water, they suggested.
Locals complained that they faced acute shortage of water at wards 4 and 5. The project developed 23 years ago is now in dilapidated condition at ward 4, according to ward chairman Sajjan Bahadur Shahi. “The population has also increased significantly.”
Similarly, Gura Chand of Layati, ward 5, said that they are forced to fetch dirty water from a river far from the village. Janaki Adhikari of ward 3 said that volume of water in taps is decreasing and they quarrel to fill their pots.
Provincial parliament member Ambi Kumari Thapa said that she has demanded the government to plan project for drinking water.
The provincial government has allocated Rs 10 million in the current fiscal year for drinking water project at ward 9. “We will attempt more to bring other projects,” said Thapa. “We will also adopt new technology to collect or reserve water soon.”
Like in other province, the recharge ponds will be also developed in the Province 7 for protecting water sources, she said.
Hydro expert Roshan Bhatta highlighted on the water projects. At the water discussion coordinated by Amrita KC, journalists Shiva Raj Khatri informed about drinking water in dry season.
The commitments expressed in the program are:
> Develop infrastructure without affecting water roots.
> Construct drinking water intake 20m away from water roots.
> Carry out development works without damaging forests.
> Give first priority to provide clean water to people.
> Implement the water projects by developing master plans effectively.
> Control us of bulldozers to protect water sources and forests.
> Urge the provincial government to provide safe drinking water.
> Develop sustainable drinking water projects.
> Prioritize to plant sapling for nature conservation.
> Use technology for collecting water in wet seasons for using in dry seasons.
> Discourage bribes totally for both giving and taking.
