Water, Energy, Food, and Ecosystem (W-E-F-E) Nexus River Basin Policy Paradigm for Agriculture Transformation and Multisector Infrastructure Development of Nepal

Authors

  • Gopi Upreti IAAS, Tribhuvan University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59552/nppr.v3i1.56

Keywords:

Integrated River Basin Development, Multipurpose Development Projects, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), TBM Technology, WEFE Nexus Policy Paradigm

Abstract

Water is Nepal’s most abundant resource, and its development and utilization are essential for driving the development of multisector infrastructures (agriculture, energy, industry, urban development, etc.). Nepal has hitherto adopted an isolated and sectoral silo policy approach to development planning that has remained the dominant mode of planning across many countries in the world with few exceptions until recently when inadequacies of sectoral planning became apparent. The search for alternatively more integrative approaches came into the forefront of development discourse in the backdrop of shrinking natural resources, climate change, inexorable demand of a rapidly growing urban population, and other needs and requirements at a global scale.   The river basin-wide W-E-F-E nexus development policy strategy offers significant potential for optimum water resource utilization driving development of all sectors, including agriculture. The fundamental aspect of the W-E-F-E nexus policy framework entails the understanding of interdependencies and interactions amidst its components (water, energy, food, and ecosystem) and assessing their synergistic impacts on food, energy, water, and environmental securities in the basin. The W-E-F-E nexus policy framework aims to harness the synergy created from the interaction of interlinked components to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). This paper argues that Nepal government must carefully weigh the pros and cons of designing singular run-of-river mega hydro-project visa-vis multipurpose water reservoir projects with provisions of integrating irrigation, drinking water, inland waterways, and flood control infrastructures besides hydro-energy leveraging W-E-F-E nexus relationship.

References

Bergner, M. (2013). Developing Nepal’s hydroelectric resources: Policy alternatives. Charlottesville: Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia.

Bhattarai, K., Yousef, M., Greife, A., & Naraharisetti, S.C.S. (2020). Influence of topography on sustainable land management: An analysis of socioeconomic and ecodemographic conditions of Nepal. Agriculture. 10(6), 224. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10060224

Biswas, A.K. (2008). Integrated water resources management: Is it working? International Journal of Water Resources Development, 24(1), 5–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/07900620701871718

Biswas, A.K., & Tortajada, C. (2001). Development and large dams: A global perspective. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 17(1), 9–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/07900620120025024

Branche, E. (2017). The multipurpose water uses of hydropower reservoir: The SHARE concept. Comptes Rendus Physique, 18(7-8), 469-478.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crhy.2017.06.001

Costanza, R. (1991). Assuring Stainability of Ecological Economic Systems. In R. Costanza (eds) Ecological Economics: The Science and Management of Sustainability, Columbia University Press, New York, Oxford.

de Fraiture, C., Molden, D., & Wichelns, D. (2010). Investing in water for food, ecosystems, and livelihoods: An overview of the comprehensive assessment of water management in agriculture. Agricultural Water Management, 97(4), 495-501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2009.08.015

Endo, A., Izumi, T., Kimberly B. & Pedcris M. O. (2017). A review of the current state of research on the water, energy, and food nexus, Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, Vol. (11): 20-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2015.11.010.

Gautam, G. (2021). Office of Kaligandaki-Tinau Diversion Multipurpose Project established in Butwal. The Kathmandu Post. June 26, 2021: https://tkpo.st/2UxEmZS.

Goodland, R.J.A, Asibey, E. O. A., Post , J.C. & Dyson, M. B. (1991). Tropical Moist Forest Management: The Urgency of Transition to Sustainability. In R. Costanza (eds) Ecological Economics: The Science and Management of Sustainability, Columbia University Press, New York, Oxford.

Hoff, H. (2011). Understanding the nexus: background paper for the Bonn 2011 Nexus conference: the water, energy, and food security nexus. Stockholm Environment Institute, Stockholm. Environ Res Lett 13(2018):043002

ICIMOD. (2021). Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) nexus approach: International experiences and potential for the Hindu Kush Himalaya. ICIMOD

ICOLD (2019). International Commission on Large Dams. https://www.icold-cigb.org/

International Hydropower Association. (2017). Hydropower Satus Report 2017. London, UK: IHA.

Hadjerioua, B., Wei, Y. & Kao, S.-C. (2012). An Assessment of Energy Potential at Non Powered Dams in the United States. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1039957

IMP (Irrigation Master Plan). (2019). Irrigation master plan: draft. Kathmandu: Department of Irrigation, 2019. Department of Water Resources and Irrigation. Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation.

Jeuland, M., Harshadeep, N., Escurra, J., Blackmore, D., & Sadoff, C. (2013). Implications of climate change for water resources development in the Ganges basin. Water Policy, 15(S1), 26–50. https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2013.107

MoEWRI. (2020). The white paper 2018 on present status and future directions of energy, water resources and irrigation sector. Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Government of Nepal.

Pandey, V. P., & Shrestha, S. (2017). Evolution of the Nexus as a Policy and Development Discourse. In Salam PA, Shrestha S, Pandey VP and Anal AK (eds) Water-Energy-Food Nexus (pp. 11–20). John Wiley & Sons, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119243175.ch2

Pun, S.B. (2004). Overview: Conflicts over the Ganges? In B. Subba & K. Pradhan (Eds.), Disputes over the Ganga (pp. 3–20). Nepal: Panos Institute South Asia.

Rahaman, M. M. (2009, January 22). Principles of Transboundary Water Resources Management and Ganges Treaties: An Analysis. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 25(1), 159–173. https://doi.org/10.1080/07900620802517574

Scott, C.A., Kurian, M. & Wescoat, J.L. (2015). The Water-Energy-Food Nexus: Enhancing Adaptive Capacity to Complex Global Challenges. In Kurian, M., Ardakanian, R. (eds) Governing the Nexus. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05747-7_2

Shrestha, S.R., Tripathi, G.N. & Laudari, D. (2018). Groundwater Resources of Nepal: An Overview. In: Mukherjee, A. (eds) Groundwater of South Asia. Springer Hydrogeology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3889-1_11

Simpson, G.B., & Jewitt, G.P.W. (2019). The development of the water-energy-food nexus as a framework for achieving resource security: A review. Frontiers in Environmental Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2019.00008

Tortajada, C. (2014). Dams: An essential component of development. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, 20(1), A4014005. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0000919

Upreti, G. (1994). Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development Require a New Development Approach. Environmental Conservation, 21(1), 18-29. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892900024036

Upreti, G. (2021). Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Technology Opens a New Vista for Nepal’s Agricultural Development and Prosperity. Agri-Connection 6(3),19-20

Upreti, G., Timsina, J. & Maraseni, T.N. (2022). Achieving Water, Energy, and Food Security in Nepal Through Nexus Approach to Planning and Development. In: Timsina, J., Maraseni, T.N., Gauchan, D., Adhikari, J. & Ojha, H. (eds) Agriculture, Natural Resources and Food Security. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09555-9_22

World Bank. (2014). Ganges strategic basin assessment: A discussion of regional opportunities and risks, Washington DC: World Bank.

Wu, X., Jeuland, M., Sadoff, C. & Whittington, D. (2013, March 1). Interdependence in water resource development in the Ganges: an economic analysis. Water Policy, 15(S1), 89–108. https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2013.003

Additional Files

Published

2023-03-29

How to Cite

Upreti, G. (2023). Water, Energy, Food, and Ecosystem (W-E-F-E) Nexus River Basin Policy Paradigm for Agriculture Transformation and Multisector Infrastructure Development of Nepal. Nepal Public Policy Review, 3(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.59552/nppr.v3i1.56