• WORLD WATER DAY

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Stating that water and sanitation is a basic human right, lawmakers today pledged to ensure water and sanitation rights of the public.to mark ‘World Water Day 2015’, the National Campaign Coordination Team (NCCT), today organised an interaction in the capital where various Constituent Assembly members vowed to give importance to the issue of clean water and sanitation while drafting the constitution.

The lawmakers highlighted that the country has failed to utilise water resources properly. Places where toilets have been built are not utilised because of the scarcity of water. This has affected the health of numerous people. 

Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, a CA member said, “The water resources inside Kathmandu Valley are not utilised properly. Instead of selling water, if one properly manages the pipeline in those water sources it will be enough for the Valley.” 

The lawmakers stressed that the government has not yet been able to bring an effective water project to utilise water resources. 

Brinda Devi Ale Rana, CA member said, “Now that we know what the problem is, it is important to look for solutions. Water and sanitation are major issues which have to be addressed immediately.”

Rabin Lal Shrestha, Regional Advocacy Manager, Water Aid South Asia appealed that the final Constitution should protect water and sanitation as fundamental rights. “This shall then be followed by formulation of acts, rules and regulations” he said. He added, “Right to water and sanitation must explain the core dimensions. Availability, accessibility, affordability and quality should be clearly defined.”

World Water Day is celebrated on March 22 every year since 1993 to raise awareness of clean water and sustainable water solutions and resources. 

The United Nations General Assembly in 2010 had also recognised safe drinking water and sanitation as a human right. 

According to Water Aid Nepal, four million people in Nepal have no access to clean, safe water, and 10 million people do not have a latrine and defecate in the open. Twenty per cent schools in the country still lack latrines, while 31 per cent do not have girl-friendly restrooms. As per the government’s policy, there should be one latrine for 50 students, but around 166 girl students are bound to share a single restroom currently.