Proceedings of E-Discussion on WATER FOR CITIES: RESPONDING TO THE URBAN CHALLENGES (Nepal National Water Week-2011),was jointly organized by The Small Earth Nepal and Central Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuvan University (6-20 March 2011).
Background
Water is a key element in sustaining human and environmental health. Healthy ecosystems are sustained by good water quality, which leads to improved human well-being. Due to over population and its consequent stress on the environment, the water quality and quantity both are getting worse. 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 worldwide. An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating March 22, 1993, as the first World Water Day.
Each year, the World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. This year UN-Water has dedicated World Water Day 2011 (WWD 2011) to the theme Water and Urbanization, with the slogan Water for Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenges. Since 2009, Nepal National Water Week (NNWW) has been celebrated in Nepal to commemorate the World Water Day (March 22) and the World Meteorological Day (March 23). An online discussion (E-discussion) on the theme of World Water Day 2011 was one of the components of NNWW 2011, which was conducted from 6 to 20 March 2011. Three different sub-themes were discussed in the 15 days period. The discussion was organized to create awareness and propose solutions for sustainable urban water management by brainstorming discussion among different stakeholders in a virtual platform
