THESIS ABSTRACT

Abstract

Water security in the peri-urban areas of the Kathmandu Valley has been increasingly threatened by climate change, rapid urbanization and unregulated commercial groundwater extraction, The impact of competitive water use under climatic conditions on local communities in the Matatirtha area of Chandragiri Municipality is assessed through the perceptions of the local communities on climate change impacts on water resources, evaluated the environmental and social impacts of commercial groundwater extraction, analyzed emerging water contestation between commercial water users and local communities and identified the key stakeholders responsible for groundwater governance. The study adopted qualitative case study approach using key informant interviews, focus group discussions, field observations as data collection and stakeholder mapping, ABC conflict analysis as data analysis tools along with analysis of observed meteorological data of Naikap and Thankot stations. It was found that though local perceived climate change contribution on declining spring discharge and groundwater recharge, it was not considered as the primary cause of water scarcity, instead the local people ranked weak water governance, rapid population growth, commercial groundwater extraction and inadequate water supply infrastructure as the dominant drivers. Rainfall trend analysis showed a declining trend at Naikap station with considerable interannual variability, suggesting increasing uncertainty in groundwater recharge. Though at present no severe conflicts between commercial water extractors and local communities have emerged, respondents expressed that continued extraction, increasing urban demand, and declining recharge would intensify future water shortages and social tension resulting water conflicts in the future. The ABC conflict analysis revealed that competing demands, unequal distribution of environmental costs and benefits, weak regulatory enforcement, and inadequate community participation constitute the principal structural drives of emerging conflicts. Existing mitigation measures, including community water support provided by commercial operators during dry seasons, have reduced immediate tensions but remain insufficient to address underlying governance challenges. The study highlights the need for strengthened groundwater governance through improved regulatory enforcement, systematic groundwater monitoring, artificial recharge and watershed conservation measures, participatory and gender-inclusive decision-making, equitable groundwater allocation, and institutionalized multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Keywords

commercial groundwater extraction, water security, stakeholder analysis, Matatirtha, water governance