जलस्रोत विकासका लागि तीन तहबीच सहकार्य अपरिहार्य : मन्त्री श्रेष्ठCoordination Among Three Tiers Essential for Water Resource Development: Minister Shrestha

Kathmandu — Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has said that effective coordination, shared ownership and result-oriented collaboration among the federal, provincial and local governments are indispensable for the sustainable development of the energy, water resources and irrigation sector.

Addressing a thematic committee meeting organised by the Ministry of Energy on Tuesday, attended by energy ministers and secretaries from all seven provinces, Minister Shrestha said the goal of a prosperous Nepal envisioned by the constitution can be achieved only through collaboration among all three tiers of government. He urged that the meeting not be confined to discussion alone, but be used as an opportunity to lay the groundwork for joint action plans, clear responsibilities, time-bound implementation and regular monitoring.

Minister Shrestha said the government has adopted a policy of protecting rivers not merely as water resources, but as the foundation of civilisation, culture, biodiversity, environmental balance and human existence. He noted that rivers of religious, cultural and environmental significance would be studied scientifically, and that the traditions and cultures of indigenous communities linked to rivers would be preserved as national heritage.

He informed that the process of formulating a new water resources policy and legal framework — centred on the overall conservation, scientific management and sustainable use of rivers — is under way. The ministry is also preparing to draft the water resources bill in the spirit of the federal system of governance and present it in the current session of parliament, he said.

Noting that the constitution grants all three tiers of government rights over the use of natural resources, Minister Shrestha said that once the bill is passed, provincial and local governments would also be able to make necessary legal provisions within their jurisdictions. The suggestions and participation of provincial and local levels would be important in the law-making process, he said.

He stressed the need for an integrated plan to expand year-round irrigation facilities on arable land, ensure easy availability of seeds and fertiliser, and market agricultural produce. He added that resource management and project selection would become more effective if project proposals arrived from the provincial and local levels on time.

Informing that a bill on renewable energy and energy efficiency is also being advanced, Minister Shrestha said the law would create a clear legal basis for the use of energy-efficient technology, reduction of production costs, promotion of clean energy, and the development of energy sources such as green hydrogen, solar, wind and biomass.

The meeting discussed the need for legal provisions to clearly divide rights, obligations and responsibilities among all three tiers of government for the development, use and conservation of water resources. Participants stressed that the conservation of surface and underground water resources, water quality control, pollution regulation, river management, flood control, erosion prevention and disaster risk reduction should be placed among shared priorities.

The meeting also discussed the need to create the necessary legal arrangements for coordination and division of responsibility among federal units in the development and operation of large hydropower and water resource projects. The meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for making coordination among the federal, provincial and local levels more effective for the sustainable use, conservation and development of water resources, along with the expansion of renewable energy.