Dui Chhimekiko Jalyatra
(Two Neighbour's Water Journey)
By: Ajaya Dixit
Published by: Action aid- Nepal and Nepal Water Conservation
Foundation: Phone 977-1-5528111, 977-1-5542354
Price: Rs.495
Pages: 178
Floating Issues
Ajaya Dixit's new book discuses Nepal and India's long journey in the utilization of water resources
By A CORRESPONDENT
Projected as a country rich in water resources, Nepal has over six thousands small and big rivers as well as major snow-fed rivers which are major sources of Ganges river system of the Indian subcontinent.
From livelihood of local communities to livelihood of the people living across Nepal's border, Nepal's rivers are sources of irrigation, power and drinking water for hundreds of millions of people.
The issue regarding the utilization of water remains a major political hot potato. Whether in the case of internal politics or in bilateral matter, the use of water figures dominantly. Since the man cannot survive without water, the issue regarding the use of water affects broader area.
All Nepalese rivers end their journey after reaching India and joining Ganges but Nepal's river passes through various valleys and plains of Nepal and India on its way to join Ganges. For centuries, people living in the river basins used the water of these rivers for various purposes. As soon as introduction of modern techniques like dam, irrigation canals, the controversy of sharing of water and benefits of water came to the fore.
In the name of making Nepal rich by exploiting water resources, Nepal's politicians have been selling a dream to the people. Although the millions of hectares of land in Nepal are yet to get the water for irrigation, politicians have shown little concern to this component and are harping the slogans of selling power to India. Even the recently formed "revolutionary" CPN-Maoist government pronounced an ambitious proposal to generate 10,000 MW of power to export to India.
At this state of debates and discussions, Ajaya Dixit, Nepal's water resources expert, has come out with a timely book describing Nepal's real state of water resources and history of very long journey between Nepal and India.
As most of the people representing the government do not know what is the real situation of the country, Dixit's book can provide abundant knowledge.
Dixit has also made the effort to write a book in Nepali vernacular language. He has also tried to make difficult technical jargons understandable.
Having long experiences working in the water resources sector, Dixit has an extensive knowledge and ideas about Nepal's water resources including Nepal-India relations on water resources. Along with technical matter, Dixit also discusses all different kinds of political issues related to water resources between Nepal and India. He also discusses important and controversial agreements between Nepal and India on water resources.
The book is useful for politicians, academicians and students interested in the water issues particularly the sharing of water between Nepal and India.
Supported by Action Aid Nepal, the book is based on in depth study of all the issues involved in water resources of Nepal. From Sarada, Kosi, Gandak, Tanakpur and Mahakali river agreements, the book also discuses Nepal-India bilateral issues on water sharing till now. The author stresses that Nepal's interests must be protected and priority should be given to Nepalese in making any decision of water utilization. He also discusses the constitutional and legal issues related to ratification of treaties.
Dixit's book will enlighten even those revolutionaries Maoists who want to turn Nepalese prosperous by exporting hydropower to India.
