Mahakali A Civil Society Organization lead Sambhad Dialogue in Mahakali basin

A CSO lead Dialogue in Mahakali basin 1 Mahakali Sambad

Mahakali is a river fl owing along - matters and share them amongst each other, so border. It separates the two countries that, issues discussed in the dialogue is settled in a geographically in most of the places. This meaningful way. basin area of the river spreads in 15,640 square kilometers, and of which, 5,037 kilometers of The Mahakali Dialogue is made of these two words- area lies in Nepal. Around 47 percent of that area Mahakali and Dialogue. In Nepali, it is termed as is covered by forests and it has seven wetlands Mahakali Sambad. The problems of people living within the area. in both Nepal and India across Mahakali River are identifi ed in this dialogue process. Mahakali Dialogue (“Sambad” in Nepali) is a discussion Dialogue conduct intense debates on these issues conducted on certain subject matters and, it takes initiatives to solve them. Sometimes and situations, during which, debates and community people from one side discuss the matter conversations on the matter is carried out and conduct joint meetings of citizens from both between two or more than two parties. This also the sides. When they sit together to discuss about acts as a platform to share news, information the common problems of the border, they forget about current affairs and ongoing occurrences. about their national identity and work together to Therefore, the practice of dialogue is also fi nd common solutions. Therefore, Mahakali Sambad accepted as a form of teaching and learning has now become a common and effective forum to method. Thus, a comprehensive purpose of discuss similar problems facing locals living in the dialogue is to make things clear on certain bordering areas.

Published: December 2019

CCollectionollection bbyy Raghu Lamichhane

RRevieweview Shree Bhakta Basnet Rajan Subedi Suman Gupta Bal Krishna Kattel Sofi la Vaidya

CConceptoncept ddevelopedeveloped bbyy Rajan Subedi, TROSA Team Leader, [email protected] Suman Gupta, TROSA Project Coordinator, [email protected]

Transboundary Rivers of South Asia (TROSA) Oxfam in Nepal

CContactontact aaddressddress Country Offi ce Nepal Jawalakhel, Ward no. 20, Lalitpur G. P. O. Box: 2500, , Nepal Tel: +977-1-5542881 | Fax: 977-1-5523197 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nepal.oxfam.org

2 Mahakali Sambhad A CSO lead Dialogue in Mahakali basin 3 Introduction of program in Kanchanpur, , Baitadi and Darchula districts of Nepal through its partners, Mahakali Sambad the program aims to help the people living along TROSA TROSA OBJECTIVES the Mahakali River across Nepal-India border. The Transboundary Rivers of South Asia Improved policies and practices of People living across Nepal-India border This has adopted a system of forming Women (TROSA) is a fi ve-year (2017-2021) regional government that protect the rights of river jointly formed the India-Nepal Joint Action Empowerment Centers in local communities and programme jointly implemented by Oxfam and basin communities 1 Forum (INJAF). The organization has been identifying local people’s problems and resolving its partners . The programme brings together Improved policies and practice of private raising voices about the problems such as them through such centers. efforts to support the lives of communities sector and other actors that respect the violence, discrimination, disappearances, high (especially women) living along the Mahakali rights of river basin communities to water handedness and extortion faced by the people In the same line, TROSA with support from INJAF River Basin. resources from both the sides and take initiatives to solve organizes Mahakali Sambad to discuss the Strengthened capacity of the river basin them. If there is a problem at either side of issues relate to access and control over riverine communities and civil societies to infl uence TROSA GOAL transboundary water resource management the border, Nepal or India, the INJAF members resources an water induced problem in the Reduced poverty of river basin communities in both the countries, talk to their respective Mahakali basin. In the forum, issues related to, Amplifi cation of women’s profi le and through increased access to, and control infl uence in dialogues and decision- offi cials including related stakeholders and work irrigation, drinking water, inundation, erosion, over riverine water resources. together to resolve the issues. Meanwhile, a Inadequate information fl ow of EWS (Early making on water management and water regional program TROSA came into operation in Warning System), aqua life conservation and infrastructure South Asia including in Nepal. This program is in sand mining are also discussed. These issues operation from 2017 to 2021. As Oxfam runs the were prioritized towards resolving.

4 Mahakali Sambhad A CSO lead Dialogue in Mahakali basin 5 Amongst the discussions held in community Indo-Nepal Joint Action level in 2018, seven were held in India and fi ve in Nepal. Also, similar interactions are being Forum (INJAF) held in various places in 2019 as well.

Indo-Nepal Joint Action Forum (INJAF) is an open b. Trainings/seminars/ lobby meetings forum formed to identify and solve the problems TROSA in coordination with INJAF has been faced by locals living near Mahakali River. In organizing trainings/seminars with a view addition to above mentioned areas of work, it to enhance capacity of INJAF members, also educates locals on how to make maximum local community members and disseminate utilization of the water of Mahakali River and its information to the people. In 2018, INJAF conservation along with awareness to public organized interactive workshops and trainings about the possible losses the river may cause. four times in Delhi, two times in Dehradun, one The forum has 45 NGOs of Nepal and India along each in Pantanagar, Tanakpur and Champawat, with 20 advisors as its members. and more than 10 times in .

At Nepal side, it organized four such programs Mahakali Sambad in Nepalgunj, two in , and 10 in It also plays an active role to further strengthen Kanchanpur. Similarly, in 2019, it organized two Objectives of bilateral relations between the two countries and INJAF advocacy programs in India- one in Banbasa Mahakali Sambad through civil society and various citizen-based and one in Tanakpur. At Nepal side, two organizations. It also provides suggestions to The Mahakali Sambadis supported by Oxfam similar programs were held in Mahendranagar. the governments about the problems found in under TROSA project through the local partner Both the programs were related to capacity Oxfam in Nepal is implementing TROSA project in bordering areas of both the countries and help NEEDS with coordination of INJAF. For that, enhancement of INJAF members. Based on partnership with Nepal Environment and Equity them resolve the issues so that people would the secretariat offi ces in both the countries these four programs, the INJAF with support Development Society (NEEDS) in Kanchanpur, not face same problems in future. The main are equally active in coordinating with their from TROSA prepared its advocacy strategy. Rural Women’s Development and Unity Centre objectives of Mahakali Sambad are: related stakeholders. Oxfam in Nepal, NEEDS, (RUWDUC) in Dadeldhura, Rural Development RUWDUC, RUDES, Sankalpa are the part of these c. Women Empowerment Center and Environment Management Society discussions. The TROSA project has also developed a focused (RUDES) in Baitadi, Sankalpa in Darchula The program for women living near Mahakali River project in partnership with INJAF works in the along Nepal-India border. Twenty nine women Transboundary water governance. The project To act as platform for dialogues among Approaches of empowerment centers comprising women of is working at people-to-people level which communities, local government, Civil the targeted communities have been formed. improves relations at local settings, making Society Organisations (CSO), private Mahakali Dialogues In these centers, women gather and discuss cooperation sustainable in coordination with sectors on issues of Mahakali basin about their problems and fi nd way out. local governments, private sectors and other (Nepal and India) a. Community discussion related stakeholders. The discussion fi nalized To raise awareness for access and control TROSA in consultation with INJAF conducts In these discussions, they developed the ways the name for common platform as Mahakali over the riverine resources, Mahakali Sambad to discuss the issues of to increase women’s access to river-based Sambad. To support on lobbying with water related public concerns at the community level. In resources and help reduce poverty of the stakeholders on prioritised issues of these discussions, the local target groups people living along the riparian area. They also Mahakali Sambad helps the concerned Mahakali basin. and stakeholders are invited including discuss about issues related to livelihoods, stakeholders advocate in the water-related To act as bridge for regular cooperation representatives from local organizations, leadership role, ways to get more rights, and issues concerning the people living in bordering and harmony among local activists, leading individuals in local various other issues that they face during areas along Mahakali River and establish their people of Nepal and India living across communities, represeltatives of political parties, the course of struggle in life. The participants rights on these issues which works to ensure the border of Mahakali basin through teachers, representatives of health facilities, discuss about the ways to fi nd not only human rights based on international values. As information sharing and dialogues and security personnel, among others. The immediate solutions but also seek practical and an open forum, it identifi es common problems To continue joint initiatives in economic major local concerns and solutions suggested a long-term solution with clarity in its policy as of the locals living in the bordering areas in both prosperity and education, among other by the locals to solve them are presented in the well. the countries and makes sincere efforts to solve sectors. sambads represented by higher level authorities. them.

6 Mahakali Sambhad A CSO lead Dialogue in Mahakali basin 7 These discussions encourage women leadership The second series of Mahakali Sambad were and capacity enhancement. On the other hand, Series of conducted from 11 May- 20 June 2019 in Nepal Rafting in Mahakali only from one side used to be the problems and solutions identifi ed in these Mahakali Sambad and India. Among fi ve sambads, fi rst three taken ‘risky’ as it was a bordering river. Therefore, discussions also become the issues of debate sambads were conducted at community level to in INJAF and Mahakali Sambad as well. In Nepal’s identify the water pollution issues in Mahakali locals couldn’t benefi t from this river. But, a new The fi rst series of Mahakali Sambad were beginning was made during a religious tourism context, women are more involved in water river. These local issues were shared with local related activities, more than men. Therefore, conducted from 12 April to 30 June 2018. The governments of Nepal and India separately. The festival organized in Parshudham from January fi rst Mahakali Sambad held in 14 to January 22, 2019 by organizing a rafting selection of the issues and discussion on them fi nal Mahakali Sambad was held in Kanchanpur, by the relevant people becomes more realistic of Nepal discussed on the transboundary water Nepal where ministers, political leaders, Mayors, in Mahakali River. It proved the idea of rafting related issues like fl oods, inundation, erosion in Mahakali River, which was earlier deemed and meaningful. Hence, the issues discussed in deputy mayors (Sudurpaschim of Nepal), Members Mahakali Sambad are more effective and result- and other problems caused by Mahakali River. The of Lower Assembly, Gram Panchayat members impossible, is practically possible. People similar discussion held in Banbasa also explored started enjoying rafting in the river. It was not oriented. ( of India), communities, CSOs, the issues of fl oods, landslides, drinking water, Journalists, women leaders and researchers only the visitors but also members of Bahadure early warning, irrigation. The fi nal discussion Women Empowerment Center who participated Women Empowerment Centers have been actively participated. Water pollution in Mahakali formed in targeted communities in Kanchanpur, among local governments, journalists, CSOs, river was major focused on that discussion and in the three-kilometer rafting from Kalpate to Private sectors, communities of Nepal and India Parshuram Dham. Dadeldhura, Baitadi and Darchula districts where Citizen science approach for the data collection TROSA programs are run with support from Oxfam prioritised fi ve key common issues (irrigation was shared and joint commitment was made to in Nepal. There are eleven discussion centers rights, drinking water, sand mining, fi sheries, develop the action plan. Gauri Hamal early warning communication) to be taken Member, in Darchula, six in Baitadi, fi ve in Dadeldhura and seven in Kanchanpur. All these centers forward to further discussion to resolve through The Mahakali Sambad has been well recognized Bahadure Women Empowerment Center lobby with governments and private sectors of Parigau, Parshuram municipality-5, Dadeldhura are located in riparian areas of Mahakali River. as the platform for discussion on the issues of In India, groups like Swablamban and Forest Nepal and India. Sambad played a crucial role Mahakali river with its signifi cant progress in Dwellers are involved in INJAF and Mahakali to aware on the common transboundary water the last two years. It provides platform for local Dialogues. related issues to all the stakeholders and seek representatives, stakeholders, offi cials and local support from the concerned stakeholders to activists through INJAF and other CSOs. As the solve the problems. local government and elected representatives publicly owned the issues raised through Sambad and committed for their support to address them. Further, it has also enhanced the INJAF’s recognition from local authorities and became more popular among the public as well.

8 Mahakali Sambhad A CSO lead Dialogue in Mahakali basin (9 Emerging issues Common concerns

Nepal Increasing pollution in river and diffi culties in fi shing in the river poses more challenges in The frequently-organized Mahakali Sambad has the livelihoods of many people; erosion and identifi ed major challenges faced by people living inundation; irrigation problem despite that the in riparian areas of Mahakali. In this course, it was abundant of water fl owing regularly through identifi ed that some problems faced by people the large river and scarcity of drinking water are in downstream and in upstream are common common problems. Dumping garbage in the river, while some others are different. Inadequate EWS open defecation on river bank, mixing sewage In the program, Minister for Forest, Industry, information fl ow mechanism is taken as a major into the river and discarding animal carcasses Environment and Tourism, Ms. Maya Bhatta and problem of the people in downstream. E.g. when in the river are other common problems. Thus, Minister of State,Mr. Prakash Rawal also committed gates of Dhauliganga dam are opened, the fl ood Mahakali Sambads have decided to take water to making best efforts to solve the problems. inundates and erodes a large area aimpacting pollution as the major agenda for discussion and I will do my level best to address the problems human life and property due to ective early Oxfam along with its partners will support through faced by people residing along the banks of Additionally, Sudur Paschim Assembly Members warning information at the community level. data collection of water pollution from Mahakali Mahakali River. I will also draw the attention of Mr. Lal Bahadur Khadka and Mr. Man Bahadur Sunar, There is list of problems identifi ed during the through citizen science approach. Uttarakhanda government to address these Coordinator of Public Accounts Committee Nanda Mahakali dialogues beyond those fi ve key issues. I thank the organizer of Mahakali Dialogue Bam, Main opposition leader Dr. Rana Bahadur prioritised. These include problems associated for inviting me in this interaction where I learned Rawal also expressed their commitment to resolve with mismanaged crematorium causing pollution Other issues raised a lot about the people’s real problems. Our the problems because they were common problems in river, decreasing aquatic habitats, drying up problems defi nitely are common. Therefore, we of the people in the areas. of water sources, inadequate water fl ow from Unnecessary grilling, examination and hassles by need to work together to resolve them. the dam as per Nepal- India agreement, high security forces while crossing border checkpoints, Likewise, MLA representative of Champawat, level of erosion of green pastures, and few cases of theft and extortion mainly while coming Dr Prem Singh Rana India, Mr. Mahesh Murari, shared that he was very programs on environment conservation and to Nepal from India and human traffi cking of Lawmaker, Uttarakhanda, India much impressed and showed his readiness to help protection at municipality or rural municipality women and children from Nepal to India are resolve the issues. Uttarakhand Lawmaker Dr. Prem etc. Further,mixing sewages into the river, some of the major problems other than those Singh Rana said he would leave no stone unturned dumping market garbage, water pollution,animal related directly to the water. Also, incidents of to address the issues because they were common carcasses and using poisons or bombs for fi shing misunderstanding resulting in souring relations concerns of Nepal and India. are some other serious problems raised by the between locals across the Nepal-India border due participants in the discussions. to lack of dissemination of proper information on time is a problem that needs to be addressed Following are the series of Mahakali Sambad held since 2018 to 2019: India diligently. S. No. Venue Date Stakeholders Remarks Besides that, locals complained that they were Inadequate early warning information fl ow unnecessarily troubled by Indian border security 1 Banbasa 28 April, 2018 Local community, Stakeholders of India India mechanism is one of the major problems in the forces while crossing through noman’sland for downstream.However the problems of the people fetching grass and fi rewood. Increasing number 2 Mahendranagar 23 May, 2018 Local community, Stakeholders of Nepal Nepal in upstream (Uttarakhand, India)includes, water of child workers, sending people with mental 3 Mahendranagar 16 June, 2018 Local communities, Stakeholders from both countries Nepal fl ow from dam without prior information, rare disability from India to Nepal, increasing trade discussions about the impacts of transboundary of drugs, etc., are some other problems faced 4 Kanchanpur 11 May, 2019 Local communities, Stakeholders from both countries Nepal fl oods, water pollution. by locals in bordering areas. Locals have faced 5 Banbasa 15 May, 2019 Local communities, Stakeholders from both countries India shortage of green pastures due to erosion by the river. 6 Darchula 30 May, 2019 Local communities, Stakeholders from both countries Nepal

7 Mahendranagar 19 June, 2019 Local communities, Stakeholders from both countries Nepal

8 Mahendranagar 20 June, 2019 Local communities, Stakeholders from both countries Nepal

10 Mahakali Sambhad A CSO lead Dialogue in Mahakali basin 11 Sanitation activities to clean neighborhood and Achievements riverbanks take place regularly. Representatives We might be separated by a bridge and a river and The environment cannot remain clean without of local communities and women empowerment our country might be different but we community Some achievements have been made benefi tting conservation of water, forest and land. We centers have started serious discussions on people living alongside the border are united. locals of bordering areas following Mahakali cannot live without clean environment. crematorium management, sewage management Therefore, this is a forum of good thoughts. Dialogues. The most important achievement is Therefore, the issues discussed in Mahakali and ending the practice of using poison and bombs Bhauju is from Nepal, nanda is from India, Bhanja making everyone sensitive toward the reality Dialogues are quite important. As we have just in fi shing. This shows they are becoming serious is from India and Mama is from Nepal. We have a about how the life and livelihoods of the locals reached in power, we are now in the learning toward these issues. relation of rotibeti. Therefore, we don’t have any living in the riparian areas of Mahakali River has stage. So, these programs help us understand alternative to make such common been affected and how can it be protected. the genuine issues of public concern. Some early warning systems on fl ood have been forum stronger. Whereas, in the past, there was not any tendency I will try my best to address the problems of set up. The early warning systems at Dattu of of looking at the river-based sources through locals living in bordering areas along Mahakali Darchula, Parshuramdham of Dadeldhura, Attariya Earlier, we had no place to share the problems the perspectives of rights or was there anyone’s River. We are also ready to work together with the of Kailali and at the district administration offi ce of when we faced diffi culties during our visit to interest to protect and preserve. representatives of Uttarakhand Province of India Kanchanpur are providing information’s. There are Nepal. But now with the establishment of INJAF to solve common problems. Mahakali Dialogues few problems associated with these systems as and starting of Mahakali Dialogue, we have a Another important achievement of this program deserves appreciation for this initiative. these information’s are not adequately reaching forum not only to share the problems but also to is to make local representatives, lawmakers to the riverine communities.The relations between fi nd a solution. We are also committed to draw and other responsible offi cials of both the Maya Bhatta the people of riparian areas from the two countries the attention of our local representatives and countries commit to address the problems of Minister for Forest, Environment and Tourism have been strengthened and Whatsapp group lawmakers toward these problems. We are also locals of downstream and upstream areas. Now, Sudur Paschim Provincial Government has been formed to share the information from working very actively to address the problems. these problems that used to be merely local upstream to down stream. Similarly in Kanchanpur concerns have been established as major issues district, the representatives of Dam operating Bimala Sejwan in the policy making levels and are likely to be Authorities are the members of EWS committee Executive committee member from Indian side, addressed. of Nepal and India. He helps in sharing the INJAF information. The other groups are Nepal-India Women Network which helpsto share information and supports each other where there is any problems related to water governance.

12 Mahakali Sambhad A CSO lead Dialogue in Mahakali basin 13 Basis of sustainability People used to kill fi shes using bombs in the past. Many people including Bal Bahadur Rana The Mahakali Sambad has created a situation and Kumar Shahi became disabled while using for the people in the downstream as well as bombs to kill fi shes in the river. Such bombs also upstream to benefi t from this initiative. But destroyed embankments. Children and animals making any achievement sustainable is equally used to get terrifi ed when bombs were exploded important. Therefore, the bases to make the in the river. We could not stop them from using achievements of Mahakali Dialogues sustainable bombs and poisons in the river as they came in will prove the importance of the program in true groups and did not listen to us. sense.

Later, we could stop itwhen we formed a woman The feeling found in the affected locals that “we discussion center and worked jointly with them. can live long only if Mahakali lives long” is the We have now stopped it with support from TROSA most important basis of the sustainability. This program, NEEDS, local representatives, security has made them aware about the sustainable use personnel and other stakeholders. We have also of river-based resources. It motivates them to put display boards in public squares to aware protect and conserve the river. people against use of bombs and poisons in river. As the issues raised are related to concerns of Purna Devi Kasera the local people, their human rights and about Coordinator, Kalika Women Empowerment Center the special initiatives that the state agencies Mahakali Municipality-9, Kanchanpur need to take to save locals from possible disaster are indicators to make this program sustainable. This has encouraged the stakeholders to continuously keep alert and help in such issues.

People of riparian areas are given priority in government activities. For example, at Indian side, people outside of the community used to secure tender in fi shing. Now, locals are given priority. Outsiders get opportunity only if locals are not I am very much impressed by Mahakali interested to do it. This became possible only after Dialogue program. I found the discussions Mahakali Dialogue made the locals aware about in this program quite serious and important. their right to local resources. I will try to take the issues related to police posts, SSB and customs to the cabinet. The The relation between government authorities of water-related issues are common to both the the two sides is now strengthened. For example, sides and these issues must be resolved to the information about releasing water from save our deeply-rooted relations. I am very Dhauliganga dam is given few days ago to chief much committed to do this. district offi cers of Darchula, Baitadi and other affected districts. Once they get the information Mahesh Murari in advance, they share it with Department of MLA representative, Champawat, India Hydrology and Metrology, community people along with WECs, CSOs and INJAF This initiative has helped communities and CSOs in receiving

14 Mahakali Sambhad A CSO lead Dialogue in Mahakali basin 15 Another most important basis to make it sustainable is that the government has owned the issues raised by Mahakali Projects are for certain durations and for achieving Dialogue. There are issues which needs specifi c objectives. Therefore, forums like INJAF further efforts and action to be resolved and Mahakali Dialogue need to be given continuity but the concerned authorities from both for long time so that any misunderstandings or any the sides have expressed their serious other problems that surface between the two sides commitment to resolve the problems. It is can be resolved through these mechanisms. These very encouraging that the government has forums have become more relevant as people have owned the issues raised in a public forum. started seeking their support even to In this sense, the Mahakali Dialogue has settle personal affairs. become successful. Only to describe a list of problems is not a solution. One needs to prove it through evidences and facts. Any issue needs to be addressed in its initial stage. Way forward Otherwise, it gets further complicated. At fi rst, the concerned community itself needs to address TROSA project in coordination with any problem based on facts and evidences. This INJAF and other stakeholders can play approach which is called ‘citizen science’ makes an important role to make the life and resolution of any problem effective and long- livelihood easier for riverine communities lasting. It would be better if Mahakali Dialogue of Mahakali. For this, campaigns on adopts this approach as well. sustainable use of riverine resources of Mahakali river through Mahakali Dialogues Rajan Subedi should be taken forward. Team leader, TROSA, Oxfam

There is a demand to set up an automatic siren system at Khalla Musatti in Kanchanpur district of Nepal side. Likewise, there is an urgent need to install an early warning system at different locations of ward number 11, 12 and 13 of Municipality, Brahmadev. This can be addressed through lobbying with local governments.

At Indian side, it has become necessary to set up a siren system at Thuligaad, Bum, Tanakpur dam and Sharada Barrage. INJAF and NGOs need to coordinate with local government of India for making them understand about the importance of these warning systems.

The water drained from Mahakali Barrage reaches up to Lucknow of India but people in Uttarakhanda are not able to use the water adequately. The coordination among Uttarakhand and Uttarpradesh state can only resolve the problem.

16 Mahakali Sambhad A CSO lead Dialogue in Mahakali basin 17 An embankment has become necessary in the Citizen groups helps to strengthen bilateral upstream riparian area at Nepal side. Failure relations at the public level. Any initiative and to use the early warning system properly work done jointly by the two sides becomes more has caused losses. Coordination among the sustainable. stakeholders of both the countries and between inter-country networks, interactions and INJAF members, representatives of affected seminars has become necessary. Such activities areas, local representatives, security personnel are taking place randomly but that is not and civil servants should be properly briefed suffi cient. These activities need to be managed about the problems of the locals in bordering in a well-coordinated and regular basis. areas and ask them to solve them. For this, also trainings and orientation programs are Revenue is collected from mining activities in necessary. Mahakali River. There is a demand in community for the proper use of revenue for improving their livelihoods.

There is also a need of establishing a fund for I will share the issues raised by Mahakali early warning system which can help riverine Dialogue in my next meeting. I will take communities for better preparedness and sincere initiatives to clean the river and save strengthen EWS information fl ow mechanism Mahakali from becoming polluted. I will try to in their community in consultation with local address certain issues immediately if that can governments of Nepal and India. be done in my capacity and will write to the higher levels if that requires support from the For better management of Mahakali river, higher authorities. awareness on well-management of crimination area is required. Further, communities of Nepal Gita Devi are struggling to get adequate water during Gram Pradhan, Phakpur Gram crimination due to low water fl ow from Sarada Barrage during the dry seasons.

It has become equally important to bury the The major and genuine concerns of the people Tasks like data collection, facilitation of dead animals in designated areas properly. of bordering areas should be identifi ed and women empowerment centers, study and Water sources have dried up due to change in solved on priority basis. For this, a thorough similar other small projects can be handed the course of Mahakali River and it has created study and research is needed. Only the over to the target communities themselves. I have participated in four Mahakali Dialogues. It scarcity of drinking water. It needs to be solved studies based on facts and evidences help First, this helps them fi nancially and secondly, has raised important issues albeit informally. For immediately. Also, India not releasing adequate resolve the issues. it gives them a feeling of ownership to the example, Mahakali Treaty. In Nepal, local units water to Nepal side as per the agreement should While establishing an organization, it must programs and that makes the programs are more powerful. We can formulate certain laws be addressed through dialogues. follow formal procedures like registration, successful. on our own. So, I will certainly do certain things formulating statute, making minutes, Associate local groups such as women that are possible from my level. As far as Indian The messages of Mahakali Dialogue to “save taking permissions etc. Therefore, running empowerment center with INJAF and other government structure is concerned, they are water, protect it, and make it clean” is very good citizen-based informal groups is practical to citizen-based groups so that they would not not as powerful. Hence, it may take time. one. It is important to understand the quality of strengthen networks in Mahakali basin. feel isolated even after completion of the water in Mahakali which should be conducted Coming together as a group to raise common projects like TROSA and can remain active Gyanendra Bahek through Citizen science approach. This helps to issues are effortlessly addressed in a afterward. Ward chair, Mahakali Municipality-7. generate evidences at community level for the systematic manner. If, representatives from better lobby and evidence-based advocacy. the two countries are also involved in this Strengthening the community-community process, it will be more fruitful.

18 Mahakali Sambhad A CSO lead Dialogue in Mahakali basin 19 20 Mahakali Sambhad