A stakeholder’s workshop was successfully conducted in Madhuwan Municipality-1, Bardiya District on 26 January 2025, under the project “Promoting Climate Resilient and Socially Inclusive Water Management in the Lower Karnali Watershed Region, Nepal (CLASSIK)”. The event informed stakeholders about the project and discussed key issues and challenges related to water security, climate change, water-induced disasters, and ecosystem management. Organized by The Small Earth Nepal (SEN) in collaboration with IHE Delft, Netherlands, Tribhuvan University (TU), Tharu Women Upliftment Center (TWUC), and Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Center (KIRDARC), the workshop brought together 52 participants from diverse backgrounds, including local government representatives, community leaders (Badghar), women’s groups, irrigation committee members, disaster management groups. The workshop was Chaired by Ms. Prisma Singh Tharu, Executive Director of TWUC and Deputy Mayor of Madhuwan Municipality, Ms. Anita Chaudhary, was honored as the Chief Guest.
The program commenced with the welcome remarks by Ms. Prisma Singh Tharu, Executive Director of TWUC followed by a project presentation by Mr. Bhawani S. Dongol, Executive Director of SEN. An open discussion allowed stakeholders to provide feedback on CLASSIK project’s approach and highlight local water-related challenges. As a part of the co-development approach of the project, a participatory group exercise was facilitated. The exercise enabled us to analyse local-level problems on water security, water-related hazards, its impacts and risk in day-to-day lives and livelihoods of the community, probable solutions, and the roles of stakeholders. The group presentations from locals not only helped in identifying local-level issues and challenges but also helped in spelling out locally suitable policies and practical solutions. On behalf of the organisers’ consortium, Dr. Moti Lal Rijal, Associate Professor, Central Department of Geology, TU gave his remarks that the event was successful in clearly giving a direction to the research and the identification of the vulnerable communities. Similarly, Dr. Shreedhar Maskey, Associate Professor, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, thanked all the participants for providing their time and mentioned that the learnings from such stakeholder interactions are valuable to complement the scientific research findings which will contribute in the policy level changes for the benefit of the local communities. Deputy Mayor, Madhuwan Municipality mentioned that the workshop provided an opportunity to share experiences and challenges faced by locals and emphasised the need for local solutions. She added that the project will focus mostly on the riverine population who are the most vulnerable ones and all the stakeholders will come together for future actions plans. In her closing remarks, Ms. Prisma Singh Tharu thanked all the participants for their valuable time and sharing their collective experience on water related issues.
The workshop successfully engaged local stakeholders, increased their understanding of the project, identified water related key issues and challenges, and fostered discussions on opportunities to collaborate for climate resilient and socially inclusive water management in Lower Karnali Watershed Region.
