ABSTRACT
“The term paper
elaborates on the immense potential of land water resources in Nepal from the
perspective of hydropower production and development of irrigation networks. Nepal
has comparative advantage on water resources which can be a base for economic
boom and agricultural independency. The paper equally focuses on the current
status, possible threats that arises from water induced hazards, efforts made
by concerned authority and recommendations for better outcome in the days to
come.”
Nepal, a small Himalayan country, covering an area of 1,
41,181 km²
has immense potential of surface water resources. It is believed that around
225 billion m³ of surface water flows from its territory annually. Being a tiny
nation between its giant neighborhoods Nepal has more than 6000 rivers and
rivulets which ultimately drainages up with the holy Ganges River in India. The
fast flowing rivers of Nepal carries enormous capacity for hydropower
production. It is estimated that Nepal has potential to generate 83000 MW of
hydropower however 42000 MW is considered as economically feasible. Water
resources are present in the form of rivers, lakes, ponds, snow covers and
ground water as well. Nepal bears comparative advantages over other big nations
on water resources which is essential to be capitalized for its optimum
utilization on hydropower, agro-based economy and tourism too.
With the establishment of hydropower plants on fast flowing rivers
of Nepal, the country can be a large producer and net exporter of power to it’s
both neighbors which are on the run to be world’s largest economy but badly
facing the problem of energy crisis. At present, Nepal is able to produce only 680
MW of its total capacity. Reviewing back, the first hydropower plant was
established at Pharping of Kathmandu with a capacity of 500 KW. By then several
number of hydropower plants have been established in various parts of the
country but lacking adequate fund and technology, demand is far higher than
supply. The annual peak power demand of Integrated Nepal Power System was 1291.80
MW in 2014/15 with 585 MW load shedding. Out of the actual power supplied,
357.68 MW was contributed by NEA hydro, 124.71 MW by IPP hydro and the rest
224.41 was imported from India. Compared to the fiscal figure of previous year
1201 MW, the annual peak power demand in the current year is increased by
7.56%. Considering the dry season the load shedding time was predicted to be 12
hours however due to the efficient operation of Kulekhani reservoir. Till date, only 40% of the total population
have access to electricity whereas remaining 60% are still dependent of
traditional way of firewood and kerosene oil.
On the another hand, neighbors like India and China are having a
double digit economic growth and in such context Nepal can export its surplus electricity
to these two country and boom up its economy. The total energy sales to India
was 3743.75 GWh. The growth is by 7.08% in the sales figure of 2013/14. Sales
to India however declined to 3.21 GWh from 3.04 GWh in the fiscal year 2013/14.
There have been no any major achievement with China for trade of hydropower but
the Chinese authority from time to time have been showing interest in making
investment on hydropower sector of Nepal. Regarding the purchase of hydropower,
even within the nation public are showing their willingness to consume it for
household, industries or business firms. The total number of costumer at the
end of fiscal year 2014/15 grew by 5.75% and reached 2.87 million at the end of
fiscal year 2014/15. Out of the total number of consumer; domestic, industrial
and other consumer category accounted for 94.34%, 1.48% and 4.18% respectively.
However, in term of sales the corresponding share are 44.78%, 36.31% and 18.92%
of total sales.
NEA’s electricity supply position is far away from the level of
satisfaction resulting in heavy load shedding on daily basis. In order to cope
up with the rising demand of hydropower, NEA have untaken the construction and
upgrading of many hydropower projects. The private sector have also played a
major role in the construction of new hydropower projects and it is more
essential to encourage their investment in it. On another hand, capital for the
development of new hydropower projects can be collected from the general public
in the form of shares. Referring to some recent news appeared on newspaper, the
application for obtaining share of hydropower is 80 times higher than the share
demanded. Thus this helps us predict, the interest of people to invest on
hydropower is maximum since they very well are aware about the potential of
water resources for the generation of hydropower in Nepal. The following table
presents the list of hydropower plants that are currently operation in Nepal:
SN
|
POWER PLANT
|
CAPACITY (MWh)
|
ANNUAL ENERGY ( GWh)
|
OWNED BY
|
1
|
Trishuli
|
24
|
292
|
NEA
|
2
|
Sunkoshi
|
10
|
66
|
NEA
|
3
|
Gandak
|
15
|
53
|
NEA
|
4
|
Kulekhani
I
|
60
|
164
|
NEA
|
5
|
Devighat
|
14
|
13
|
NEA
|
6
|
Kulekhani
II
|
32
|
96
|
NEA
|
7
|
Marsyangdhi
|
69
|
519
|
NEA
|
8
|
Puwa
|
6
|
41
|
NEA
|
9
|
Modi
|
15
|
87
|
NEA
|
10
|
Kaligandaki
|
144
|
791
|
NEA
|
11
|
Andhikhola
|
5
|
38
|
BPC
|
12
|
Jhimruk
|
12
|
81
|
BPC
|
13
|
Khimti
|
60
|
353
|
HPL
|
14
|
Bhotekoshi
|
36
|
246
|
BKPC
|
15
|
Indrawati
|
7.5
|
51
|
NHPC
|
16
|
Syange
|
0.2
|
1.2
|
SHC
|
17
|
Chilime
|
20
|
101
|
CHC
|
18
|
Piluwa
|
3
|
18
|
AVHCO
|
19
|
Sunkoshi
|
2.6
|
14.5
|
SHPC
|
20
|
Chaku
khola
|
1.5
|
-
|
Alliance
power
|
21
|
Small
hydro
|
12.5
|
26
|
NEA
|
22
|
Small
hydro (isolated)
|
6.04
|
-
|
NEA
|
23
|
Micro
hydro
|
14.5
|
-
|
-
|
|
TOTAL
|
568.7
|
-
|
-
|
Under
Construction
SN
|
POWER PLANTS
|
CAPACITY (MWh)
|
OWNED BY
|
1
|
Middle
marsyangdhi
|
70
|
NEA
|
2
|
Gamgad
|
0.4
|
NEA
|
3
|
Heldung
|
0.5
|
NEA
|
4
|
Rairang
|
0.5
|
Rairang
HPD
|
5
|
Upper
modi
|
14
|
GITEC
|
6
|
Khudi
|
3.5
|
KHL
|
7
|
Mailung
|
5
|
MPC
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
-
|
As like that of hydropower, the water resources of Nepal are
suitable for enhancing agro-based production widely ranging from irrigational
supplies for crops to fishery. The water that flows through the perennial
rivers of Nepal can be scientifically utilized for irrigating the cultivable
land of southern Nepal through the construction of irrigational canals in
various places. Out of total 14.718 million hectare area of Nepal only 2.641
million hectare is cultivable and 1.766 million hectare is irrigable. 76% of
the total irrigable area on Nepal lies in Terai region. The history of
irrigation in Nepal before 1922 was all developed, operated and maintained by
farmers called Farmers Managed Irrigation System (FMIS). From 1922 to 1957,
government took some initiatives to develop the agricultural system within the
country. Some of the major achievements of the mean time were Chandra Nahar,
Judhha Nahar, Jagdispur jalasraya, Phewa Banda and so on. Post 1957 irrigation
development got its highest priority and it is considered as the milestone of
the beginning of periodic plan in Nepal.
Nepal being an agro based country engages majority of its
population on agricultural activities. Development of irrigation system in
Nepal through the construction of irrigational canals in perennial rivers will
help Nepal to boost its agricultural yield. It will even ensure water supply
for cultivation and production during off season which will provide a permanent
water solution for the farmers and this will even be under the principles of
sustainable development. Increase in the agricultural production will result in
improvement in the lively hood of farmers.
Even today farmers in the Terai region are dependent on rain water
for theirs crops as they lack other sources for irrigating their field. In this
context, the importance of irrigational system development has increased a lot.
Government must be able to initiate effective policies for its further
development.
From the early period people have been utilizing the flood plains
of rivers for settlement and agricultural cultivation. Due to abundant water
resources people suffers from disasters caused by frequent water induced
hazards. The induced hazards not only affect the crops of the region but
significantly damages infrastructure such as hydropower plants and irrigational
canals. These hazards are non-avoidable factors and integral part of the
natural happenings in water system. The benefit of hydropower is tied up with
the fast flowing water resources specially rivers. In spite of the benefits
from water resources, the water flowing through perennial rivers and streams
have proven to be catastrophic causing loss of human lives and infrastructure
established in the periphery of risky and vulnerable zones. The monsoon rain
associated with the flash flood in the rivers and streams are damaging newly
constructed infrastructure of development. The destructive flood and debris
flow caused by the monsoon of 2014, in the mid-western region of Nepal has
created heavy casualties in the built up irrigation system causing loss of more
than 20 million rupees. On the other side, Nepal is an earthquake prone zone
and the earthquake that stuck Nepal on April 2015 caused loss of lives of more
than 9000 people and severely damaged multiple hydropower plant situated in the
prone zone. Since most of the hydropower plants are situated in hilly region of
Nepal they are always volatile to disasters such as earthquake and landslides
often blocks the water route which causes unsound accumulation of water and
bursts causing damages to the nearby residential area. The flood that occurred on 18th
August 2008 at Koshi River caused significant damage in east west highway,
koshi Tappu wildlife reserve and more than 8 VDCs. Kailali of western Nepal
faced the similar problem on 3 April 2009 causing damage of 94 Katha’s of
cultivable hand and damage on other infrastructure. In lack of proper
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before construction of any
infrastructure, the risk of damage due to water induced hazards have increased
to maximum level. The developmental activities carried out utilizing water
resources always has the risk of unforcasted damages.
Despite the risk of the water induced hazards, Nepal has
comparative advantage in water resources than any other nation. Through the
development of water resources Nepal can achieve economic prosperity and get a
permanent solution to water crisis for agro based sector. There are various
plans and policies initiated to carry out developmental activities through
utilization of water resources. Government of Nepal has formulated irrigation
development policy 2070 so accelerate the speed. The main objectives of the
irrigation development policy 2070 are listed as bellows:-
·
Utilize available water resources to promote
agro-based sector through development of irrigation to ensure sustainable
development.
·
Repair and maintain irrigation networks,
proper management of water, upgrade and develop new irrigation networks all
over the year.
·
Utilization of surface and underground water
scientifically for irrigation.
·
Based on necessity, ensure the development of
irrigation network in every part of the country.
In the past few years, Nepal have been successful enough to
establish some irrigation projects of national pride which is aimed to benefit
a lot of farmers. The Sikta irrigation project is targeted to irrigate 33,766
hectare of land in Banke and similarly Babai irrigation project will be
benefitting total area of 36000 hectare in Bardiya district. Similarly various
agreement have been done between donor agencies for the construction of irrigation
projects. The financial assistance of $30 million by Asian Development Bank for
the development of Community Managed Irrigated Agriculture Sector Project
(CMIASP) is the latest example of it. The International Development Association
(IDA) of the World Bank has agreed to provide a loan equivalent to NPr. 4.8-5
Billion for the implementation of irrigation and water resource management
project (IWRMP-AF).
Efforts for the development of hydropower can be clearly observed
in the present days since government of Nepal have encouraged public and
private sector to invest on hydro power. Similarly Foreign Direct Investment
(FDI) is also highly appreciated for establishment of new hydro power plants.
The power trade agreement signed between the government of Nepal and the
government of the Republic of India is another milestone for the development of
hydro power utilizing the water resources on Nepal. The strategies of
government of Nepal for the development of hydro power sector are listed as
bellows:-
·
Develop large scale RoR Projects with foreign
investment to serve both local and export market
·
Small scale project which can be developed
more quickly and are more within the capability of local private sector to
finance and build will be targeted on meeting Nepal need
·
Mid-scale project done by government in
collaboration with private partners
·
Promote storage projects to enable seasonal
peaking needs to be met from domestic resources-also multipurpose
·
Major investments in cross border and backbone
transmission to enable imports throughout the year until export projects begin
coming on, then serve for export and seasonal and peaking power exchange
Similarly realizing that the development and management of water
resources should be undertaken in a holistic and systematic manner aimed at the
sustainable use of resources, Nepal for the first time formulated Nepal Water
Resource Strategy which works as a directional guidelines for the country in
water development in coming 25 years. The target to be achieved by 2017 and to
be achieved till 2027 have been set up. Government is also pursuing water
resource development in Nepal from three different approaches. Firstly to
develop small size and decentralized hydropower projects in the rural areas to
meet up the local demands of people, secondly to develop medium size power
project to meet the national demand within national grid including export of
surplus energy and finally large scale multipurpose projects to meet the
regional demand of food, energy and flood control. These three approaches were
included on Hydropower Development Policy of 2001.
Threats can never be avoided fully but this does not mean with the
possible chance of destruction and devastation the potential of the water
resources on Nepal should be under-utilized. For this, before construction of
any project it is very essential to carry out the feasibility study of the
proposed area. Similarly another factor to be considered during the period of
planning is Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to ensure that nature is not
harmed or disturbed because of the developmental activities that is about to
take place. Adequate information must be gathered by the planners through
empirical research activity to make a right decision. Through this the level of
risk can be determined and different alternatives, ranging from hazards
resistant constructions can be carried out. It is very essential to know about
the limitation of the resources along with its potential.
Similarly, there are a lot of things to be carried out for the
promotion of hydro power and irrigation development in country like- Nepal.
Being a country full of potential on water resources, Nepal badly lacks
infrastructure and its economy is crawling to meet the demands of the people at
local and regional level. Per capita income is low and a lot of youths are
unemployed desperately seeking for job. This has resulted in the situation of
brain drain in the country where human resources of all categories: skilled,
semi-skilled and unskilled are flying off to other nation for opportunities.
The recent natural calamity has pushed country couple of steps back destroying
existing infrastructures.
In such scenario government of Nepal must focus on overall
development of the country through the maximum utilization of water resources.
For this it is essential to construct new hydro power plants as well as it is
equally important to develop irrigation nationwide for enhancing the
agricultural yield of the farmers. These activities requires fund and
technology as well. There lies solution to this barrier as well, through
encouraging Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from international multinational
companies and it can even be done by collecting shares through the general
public. Coordinating with multinational companies ensures that they will hire
best technocrats for successful accomplishment of the project. The long paper
works must be simplified and government from time to time work in coordination
with private sector in regard of how can more benefit be gained from those water
resources.
Development of irrigation network means the plains of Terai can be
used for agriculture and this will secure job of many youths. Along with this,
government should encourage youths and people at local level to get involved on
development activities as such because public participation will make the work
a lot easier. On next side, youths are employed at different levels in hydro
power plants and this will play a key role to minimize the flow of youths out
of the nation.
There must be a controlling mechanism for the ongoing
developmental activities since those projects may be hydropower or irrigation
are facing rampant corruption. The fund allocated for the activity never
reaches to the place it should be. Hence, government should formulate strict
rules and regulations to minimize such mal practices had come up with a vision
of economic boom in a very short time frame through utilization of available
land water resources.
Mainly the concern should be made on following points:
·
Public Private Partnership (PPP) should be the
effort of government for effectiveness and efficiency. In regard to this, Micro
Hydropower plant in Ghandruk is a perfect example of Public Private Partnership
·
Adequate planning to ensure economic and
social benefit through utilization of water resources
·
Strict implementation of Nepal water resource
strategy
·
No any effect should be made on environment
and ensure the safety of people residing in periphery area.
·
Manipulation of basic data and result on power
development should be minimized
·
Strong commitment, priority and vision on
hydropower development at political level
ABBREVIATION
KW= Kilo
watt
MWh= Mega
watt
GWh= Giga
watt
NEA
= Nepal Electricity Authority
BPC=
Butwal Power Company
HPL=
Himal Power Limited
BKPC=
Bhote Koshi Power Company
NHPC=
National Hydro Power Company Ltd
SHC=
Syange Mini Hydro Power Company
CHC=
Chilime Hydro Power Company
AVHCO=
Arun Valley Hydro Power Development
SHPC=
Sahas Hydro Power Company
GITEC=
Gitec Nepal Private Ltd
MPC=
Mailung Khola Hydro Power Company
KHL=
Khudi Hydro Power Limited
ROR= Run of the River
CMIASP
=Community Managed Irrigated Agriculture Sector Project
IWRMP-AF=
Irrigation and Water Resource Management Project
VDC=
Village Development Committee
KM= Kilo
Meter
IPP= Independent Power Production
REFERENCES
1.
Nepal Electricity Authority, “Annual Overview
2014-15”
3.
International Power Producers’ Association,
Nepal,
5.
Department of Irrigation, Ministry of
Irrigation,
6.
Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention,
Ministry of Irrigation,
7.
Old study reports by senior as reference
