Southasia Institute of Advanced Studies (SIAS) in association with Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality organized ‘Diktel Pani Chautari’ on 17th January, 2020 at Diktel, Khotang. The theme of the Paani Chautari was ‘Water Security Challenges and Opportunities’. The first Paani Chautari event in Diktel witnessed an enthusiastic participation of 45 people including Deputy Mayor, Drinking Water Project representatives, municipality officials, ward-chairpersons, FNCCI representatives, news reporter, FECOFUN representatives, CFUG chairpersons, and other water users. The major objective of the forum was to share the preliminary findings from three years of SIAS research in Khotang, learnings from national and international practices of water management and discussing on water related issues in Diktel area.
The forum was chaired by Dip Narayan Rijal, Mayor of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi. SIAS researchers presented on findings regarding the water security situation in Diktel area, collaboration with other municipalities as part of piloting and learning from international practices, followed by discussion. The Mayor shared the initiatives on behalf of the municipality in securing drinking water and remarked that the discussion conveyed the message to prioritise drinking water in the future plan. Similarly, Bina Devi Rai, Deputy Mayor of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi highlighted the need to conserve the existing water sources and make a stepwise plan not only in Diktel but covering the whole municipality. Participants in the program expressed their concerns regarding climate change, water security challenges and the possible solutions. During this event, some of the major issues raised were: gradual reduction in water and immediate need of investing in low cost water retention technology as recharge ponds. Participants demanded an integrated vision of water management of the municipality to manage the Rupakot Watershed Region.
