Background
The World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day. Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. This year UN-Water has dedicated World Water Day (WWD) 2011 to the theme Water and Urbanization, with slogan Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenges. The main objectives of WWD 2011 is to focus on national and international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems. It will encourage government, other organizations, communities, and individuals around the world to engage actively in addressing urban water management challenges. Similarly, every year, on 23 March, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Worldwide Meteorological Community celebrate World Meteorological Day (WMD) on a chosen theme. The theme for the year 2011 was “Climate for YOU”.
To celebrate these two days in Nepal, different organizations including governmental agencies have been organizing a week long programs since 2008 under an umbrella network of Nepal National Water Week with the chairmanship of Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS), Government of Nepal. With this context, a week long program from 17 to 23 March 2011 under the title “Nepal National Water Week – 2011 (NNWW-2011)” was organized to celebrate these globally important days in Nepal.
Activities
- Activities before Water Week
| Date | Program/Activities | Venue |
| 20 Feb – 20 March | Online E-Discussion on title “Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenges” | Online |
| 20 Feb – 20 March | Bagmati water quality mapping | Bagmati and its tributaries in the Kathmandu Valley |
| 9 March | Press Meet and Press Release | WECS |
- Activities on Water Week
| Date | Programs/Activities | Venue |
| 17 March | Formal Opening Program | NTB |
| (10:00 AM- 12:30 PM) | ||
| 18 March | Workshop on water quality Analysis | NAST |
| 19 March | TV/Radio Talk Program | TV/Radio/FM |
| 20 March | Observation of Drinking Water Supplies Facilities – Identifying Problems and Meeting the Challenges | KTM Valley |
| 21 March | Workshop on Water and Disaster | City Hall |
| 21 & 22 March | Water Fair (Stall Exhibition on Water Related Issues/companies) | City Hall |
| 21 & 22 March | Documentary Show | NTB |
| 22 March | Water Parade- “World Walks for Water” | City Hall-Tundikhel-City Hall |
| 22 March | Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenges2nd National Symposium on Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Management of Groundwater Resources of the Kathmandu Valley | Hotel Everest |
| 22 March | Seminar on “Water for Cities” | Hotel Himalaya |
| 22 March | Regional Program in Five Development Regions (WWD Program Activities including Consultation workshop with related stakeholders on Sustainable water resource management: Urban Issues) | Five Dev. Regions and Districts |
| 22 March | World Water Day 2011 Celebration at Dudhkoshi and Indrawati Sub basins | Salleri, Solukhumbu Chautara, Sindhupalchowk |
| 23 March | Workshop to Celebrate World Meteorological Day | Pokhara |
| 23 March | Formal Closing Program | NTB |
