Nepal Observes World Water Day with a Focus on Glacier Conservation

Nepal is joining the global community in celebrating World Water Day today, March 22, under the central theme of ‘Glacier Conservation.’ Marked annually on this day, World Water Day is a United Nations initiative aimed at promoting the preservation and sustainable management of freshwater resources.

Glaciers play a crucial role in sustaining life by providing essential meltwater for drinking, agriculture, industry, clean energy production, and healthy ecosystems. However, the rapid melting of glaciers is causing instability in water flows, posing significant risks to both people and the environment. The United Nations has emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to prioritize glacier conservation as a core strategy in addressing climate change and the global water crisis.

In Nepal, the Ministry of Water Supply is leading various awareness programs, discussions, and debates to highlight the importance of protecting and effectively utilizing the nation’s valuable water resources. Despite being rich in water resources, Nepal has struggled to ensure universal access to safe drinking water. Although the country has a per capita water consumption capacity of 3,600 cubic meters, the current consumption rate stands at just 393.5 cubic meters per person.

The government has organized a week-long campaign to raise public awareness about the relationship between water and energy. The initiative also aims to spark discussions on water-use policies, identify stakeholders in the water and energy sectors, and unite organizations working in these fields under a common framework.

World Water Day serves as a reminder of the critical need to protect and manage water resources effectively, especially in a country like Nepal, where the impacts of climate change on glaciers could have far-reaching consequences.