Water resources policy and administrative management

Nubi Geog is situated at the main headwater source (watershed) areas of Mangdechu River. Mangdechu River divides the Geog into two halves (flows in between the Geog settlement). Until recently, the geog has no major problem of water sources due to good intact forest cover (water sources) and undisturbed catchment areas. However, there is an indication of the drying up of small drinking water sources and the volume of water flowing from some sources have been in the declining stage due to increase in population which accelerated the high use of forests resources from the water source/catchment area and imperfect water source protection and management program. Thus, the drinking/irrigation water source areas in the near future will be in jeopardy if appropriate measures were not put in place at the right time. If appropriate mitigation measures were not taken, there will be negative impact on the quantity and quality of the drinking/irrigation water resources. Further it has become crucial at this point in time to build up the capacity of the local people through creating awareness and institutional visits to other places on the importance of the conservation and management of drinking water sources (sub-catchment areas). To prevent degradation of forests and water sources (catchment areas) the Geog administration has been putting effort to seek financial assistance to initiate the protection and conservation of watershed areas (water source areas), however, the geog administration and the beneficiaries were not able to acquire financial assistance for implementation of the water source management programmes. Therefore, the Geog administration has initiated to submit this project proposal to GEF for funding support as the proposed project perfectly fits within the purview of the GEF s focal area. The main objective of the project would be to; a. Protect and conserve the water sources areas in four chiwogs (11 villages) under Nubi Geog by fencing the catchment areas and establish rehabilitation plantations in the water source areas. b. To form water user group management committees (WUGMC) and prepare management Plan for sustainable management of the water sources (catchment areas). c. To ensure that negative impacts of human activities on watershed and water source areas is minimized through advocacy and awareness campaign and institutional visit/study tour to other places.

Bhutan