24 Sept-Kathmandu: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 23.5 million dollars grant from the Strategic Climate Fund for a project that will ensure water supply for use in the home and for agriculture for about 45,000 households during the dry season in Nepal.
The project will work in watersheds in six districts in the Far-Western Development Region including Achham, Baitaidi, Bajhang, Bajura, Dadeldhura, and Doti, which depend on agriculture but are already suffering water shortages.
The project is one of five components of Nepal’s Strategic Program for Climate Resilience, according to a statement issued by the Bank here Tuesday.
The project is expected to benefit women and disadvantaged groups, who often have access only to less reliable water sources and suffer disproportionally by spending more time or walking greater distances to secure water during times of shortage.
The project will also educate communities on water conservation practices, including micro-irrigation, methods for maintaining soil moisture in agriculture, grazing and fodder management, and ways to regenerate vegetative cover.
The executing agency is the Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management.
On top of ADB’s funding, the Nordic Development Fund will provide up to $4.63 million in complementary technical assistance, and the Government of Nepal will provide $1.94 million. The project is due for completion in 2020, adds the statement. RSS
