The Nepal Weekly 
March 25, 2025
On the occasion of World Water Day, a workshop on glacier conservation was organised in Kathmandu. The aim of the event raising awareness on water security and water governance, educating the public about glacier conservation and water conservation, and discussing the equitable distribution of water and widespread practice of rainwater harvesting.
The workshop jointly organized by Smart Wash Solutions, UK Aid, SNV and Water Aid in coordination with various organizations, there was extensive discussion on the work to be done to protect glaciers, the need to initiate rainwater harvesting practices at all levels, and strengthening policies and structures for sustainable water resource management.
In the workshop, senior advisor at ICIMOD Dr. Arun Bhakta Shrestha, discussed the impact of the glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayas while Dr. Bhola Ghimire, Professor of the Institute of Engineering Studies presented a working paper on the contribution of Nepalese glaciers to freshwater worldwide and its current risks due to climate change.
Former minister Er. Ganesh Shah, Mayor of Gokarneshwor Municipality Deepak Kumar Risal, Pema Wangcheng Gurung, vice-chairman of Phoksundo Rural Municipality, Dolpa, Dr. Kapil Gyawali of WECS, and AngTshering Sherpa of Nepal Mountaineering Association discussed on on water distribution, availability of drinking water at the local level, and water issues. The panel discussion was chaired by Meena Shrestha, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Drinking Water.
Workshop chair and Smart Wash Solutions President Ramdeep Shah said that glaciers, which are an endless source of water, are melting rapidly due to climate change, leading to water shortages and an increasing risk of flooding. He said that both glacier and rainwater harvesting would be important steps towards water security.
“Rain water harvesting is the practice of collecting and storing rainwater.” “This can be used to supply water by harvesting rainwater in times of drought or reduced availability of glacial water,” he said.
He said that glaciers are an integral part of life as glacial water is essential for drinking water, agriculture, industry, clean energy production, and healthy ecosystems.
In the Workshop participants emphasized that the rapidly melting glaciers cannot be stopped by Nepal’s efforts alone, and that this requires the implementation of the Paris Agreement, a global reduction in carbon emissions, and the protection of glaciers.
The workshop raised the issue that as glaciers are rapidly melting, new glacial lakes are being formed and the size of existing glacial lakes is also increasing, putting not only mountainous settlements but also the downstream areas at risk.
