Distribution, Access and Gendered Roles of Common Property Water Resources in Bhotechaur, Nepal

Abstract

Water is an essential requirement for human sustenance on earth; its uneven distribution creates disputes with respect to access and consumption. These may be further intensified by the physical and socio-economic conditions of the area. This study has intensely observed distribution and access induced issues amongst the people living in the mountains of Nepal, who rely on springs. The study has further examined the issues from a gendered perspective, within the socio-economic context of Bhotechaur area in Nepal. The research methodology adopted include key person interviews, time line surveys, resource mapping and time use survey. The gender based contribution to the System of National Account (SNA) and the Non System of National Account (Non-SNA) were analyzed. Apart from the temporal depletion of Common Property Resources (spring water), water quantity in the area is not much of an issue. It can be apparently seen that, disparity exists between upper and lower belt areas in terms of access. The victims of these circumstances are usually women and people belonging to the lower caste living in the lower belt of the study area. Though women contribute to SNA and Non-SNA work, their actual presence, despite their representation in the committee, in the Water User Committee is dormant due to male dominancy.