To stimulate leveraging research and pilot actions into policy and practices in Dharan sub-metropolitan, a team of researchers along with SIAS policy advisor, Mr. Krishna Gyawali and a board member Mr. Chiranjivi Bhattarai visited to meet with representatives of local government. The team met with Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Planning Chief and Environment Section Chief. The visit was a major step to bridge ground learning into wider policy uptake for upscaling.
Few major highlights of the visit were
- Decision to formalize the organizational relation of SIAS and Dharan Sub-metropolitan through MoU,
- Allocation of municipal fund to construct recharge pits as sample in each wards
- Organizing masonry training regarding construction of recharge pits
- suggestion of working on Shardu watershed management plans
- sustainability of Paani ChautariThe team also visited critical urban water zones (CUWZs) to see the recent condition of the newly constructed of deep wells, Shardu watershed, ward office and office of Center for Environment Tourism and Development (CETD), squatter settlements in the bank of Seuti River, Koshi bank and finally visited to the mayor of Biratnagar metropolitan city for future collaboration. Overall, the team observed several important issues such as serious water scarcity over Dharan city especially squatter settlement, contestation between cooperation and water board, Shardu watershed case, challenges of ward offices to deliver services effectively, alternative water source, etc.
