Water Resources

   

 Among all the natural resources of Nepal, water resources is regarded as one of the most important resources. The water resources alone occupies about 2.27% of total area of Nepal. There are more than 6000 rivers including major and minor, hundreds of lakes and many natural springs.The major rivers are Gandaki, Koshi, Karnali, Mechi, Mahakali, Seti, Bheri, Rapti, Narayani etc.The high Himalayas are the regular source of the water resources of Nepal.In regard of water resources,Nepal stands in the second position after Brazil.



Imporance of Water Resources
       Water is life of living beings.One can not imagine the world of human beings, creatures and vegetation without it.An economy rich in water resources can have possibilities of great prosperity if they are properly utilized.A nation can use water resources in generating electricity for irrigation projects and for drinking purposes as well as for many other activities. It is regarded as the basic sources of energy.Some of the importance of water resources are as follows:
Develpment of agriculture
Development of trade,commerce and industries
Development of transport and communication
Development of tourism industries
Preservation of forest resources
Development of aquatic life
Development of water transports
Sources of foreign currency earning

Problems of Water Resources Development
       The role and importance of water resources has been discussed above.The government is also committed to develope water resources of the country.But still its development is nominal in relation to its potential.The development of water resources in nepal can be said to have taken place only when there would be large-scale hydro electricity generation, increase in irrigation facilities to every to each plot of arable land, etc.The major obstacles on the way to water resource development in nepal are as follows:
Lack of capital
Shortages of technical manpower
Political instability
Inadequate transport facility
Defective government policy
Limited market potential
Inadequate publicity
Shortage of scientific equipment
Disparity in geographical distribution
Inadequate supply of means of communication