Water conservation ponds in Nepal

During the pre-monsoon season, between March-and May, some areas in Nepal experience water shortage. On the other hand, during the monsoon, water excesses causes regular floods and landslides. In this situation, activities such as agriculture or livestock, as well as the availability of drinking water and women’s workload are deeply affected. Guaranteeing water availability throughout the year is therefore essential to reduce the vulnerability of Nepalese farmers. Water conservation ponds prove strategic, storing water and replenishing groundwater reserves for the dry season and protecting hillsides from landslides during the rainy season. Conservation ponds are not a new practice in Nepal, as indigenous populations in the mid-hill region had used them in the past, but were lost due to the introduction of piped water supply. Currently, water conservation ponds are being reintroduced as a local adaptation strategy.