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Vulnerability assessment of water resources in Hilly Region of Nepal

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Abstract

Water security is a key in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs); however, it is gradually becoming a scarce resource due to pressure from both climatic and non-climatic factors. Understanding sources and extend of vulnerability of the water resources is the very first step to design appropriate strategies aimed at securing water for various uses. This study therefore assessed vulnerability of water resources and its spatial distribution across the Palikas (new local governments) with Gulmi district in Province-5 as the case study. Vulnerability was assessed using an indicator-based framework comprising of two components and six sub-indices. Results showed that Musikot is the highly vulnerable Palika among the 12 Palikas, and Resunga is the least vulnerable. The results are useful for prioritizing the Palikas for allocating resources aimed at targeting new programs for reducing poverty and conserving natural resources.

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Acknowledgements

The author would acknowledge the Forest research Institute (deemed to be) University for supporting this study. The author would also like thankful to Gobinda Paudel, Megha Shrestha, Keshav Tyagi, Rahul Yadav, Sumit Sharma, Saroj adhikari and Rajesh Raut for their concern support and kind cooperation during study period.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forest Research Institute (Deemed to be) University, Dehradun, India

    Ramesh Chhetri, Ranjeet Singh & Shachi Pandey

  2. Kali Gandaki Polytechnic Institute, CTEVT, Ghiring 1, Tanahun, Gandaki Pradesh, Nepal

    Ramesh Chhetri

  3. Forest Ecology and Climate Change Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, India

    Parmanand Kumar

  4. International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Nepal Office, Lalitpur, Nepal

    Vishnu P. Pandey

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  1. Ramesh Chhetri
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  2. Parmanand Kumar
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  3. Vishnu P. Pandey
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Correspondence to Ramesh Chhetri.

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Chhetri, R., Kumar, P., Pandey, V.P. et al. Vulnerability assessment of water resources in Hilly Region of Nepal. Sustain. Water Resour. Manag. 6, 34 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-020-00391-x

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