Spatial Analysis of Water Resources for Local Development in Kirtipur Municipality of Kathmandu Valley

Abstract

Natural Resources Management means appropriation, distribution, utilization, and conservation of natural resources and the legitimate way of controlling them. Water is a mobile resource: it falls from the clouds, seeps into the soil, flows through aquifers, runs along stream courses, and eventually returns to the clouds. This natural cycle is the basis of all life support system and people extract resources from this system and used into economic cost. Water is "managed" in different ways: it may be harvested, extracted from the ground, diverted, transported, and stored. This makes it different from all other natural resources. However, each form of management that interferes with the natural cycle exacts a price, not just in economic terms but in terms of environmental damage and greater health hazards. Our water resources, irregularly distributed in space and time, are under pressure due to major population change and increased demand all over the world. There are altogether 79 water resources which are well, dug well, pond, river, Stone Spout, spring, lake, deep tube well, rain water harvesting, and reservoir. The distributions of water resources are not equal in all the areas in Kirtipur. The ward no. 2 has largest number (12) of water resources and ward no. 19 has not any water resources which lie in the western lowland of Kirtipur Municipality. There are 3 main rivers i.e. Bagmati, Balkhu and Boshan and other rivulets which touch most of the wards. There are 9 reservoirs in different parts of the municipality. The water connection is available in all the settlements and the supply duration and time is different in the day and week. The drinking water connections which are not sufficient for the daily activities of the local people in Kirtipur. So that they are using water from other sources which are located in the nearest area. Water resources are using in different activities in Kirtipur. Most of the water resources are using in agriculture activities and washing. Other uses are in making alcohol and beer, cleaning, bathing, toilet, dish wash, livestock, construction, Household supply and purification for god. The most of resources are managed by local people, only the drinking water resources are managed by Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited, Kirtipur Branch. It is very effective and sustainable. In our society, culture norms and values play very important roles in water resource managements. From the beginning people believed water is also god (Jal) so that they didn't garbage near to the water resources. From that concept they are managing very well but the new generation are not completely following that norms and values therefore water resources becoming in poor condition. Water resources play great role in local development. Without water we cannot think our lives as well as other things. Our daily activities, industries, livestock, agricultural activities are very easy to get sufficient of water. Easily available drinking water for households uses reduces the time span and contributes to invest other activities i.e. income generating, which is the prime factor of increasing family standard and human development. It helps in Social as well as economic growth of the people.