Narayani River Conclave 2023

About The Conference

Water is a key strategic natural resource for the economic growth and development of Nepal. People depend on freshwater resources for drinking water, irrigation, and energy, and a wide range of biodiversity depends on the river stretches and wetlands. However, water scarcity is one of the major problems in Nepal. According to the recent Asia Water Development Outlook published by Asia Development Bank, Nepal is ranked 5th among the six South Asian countries in terms of the national water security index which encompasses 5 key dimensions of water security namely, urban water security, rural water security, environment water security, economic water security, and water-induced disaster security. This clearly shows the urgent need for sustainable water resources management through improved basin management to improve national water security.

The Narayani River conclave focuses on water resource conservation through improved cross-functional collaboration among concerned stakeholders. The purpose of the conclave is to bring academicians, policymakers, researchers, graduates and private sector together to present their research, and achievements and share their experiences. The conclave seeks to facilitate the establishment of effective institutional procedures as well as the strengthening of basin management offices, upstream-downstream linkages, and the implementation of technological innovations for watershed management, aquatic biodiversity management, wetland health improvement, wastewater treatment, water harvesting, etc.

The conclave will cover a wide range of topics such as improving the health of Narayani river, the status of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife of Narayani basin, climate change and the associated water-induced disaster risks in Narayani basin, evolving policies related to water conservation including water governance issues at national and international level and status of societal challenges in the community around Narayani river basin.