Regulation of water user associations in Nepal – improving an inadequate legal regime

Implementation of sustainable irrigation systems in order to increase agricultural production is a stated aim of the Nepali Government. Although participatory irrigation management (PIM) is integral to the strategy, problems have been encountered in putting this in place. One reason for this is the lack of an adequate regulatory framework. This paper sets out the current legislative environment with respect to PIM and water use management, highlighting those areas where practice fails to match policy. It goes on to suggest a series of detailed improvements that might be made to the water use allocation process, and to governance at all levels, bearing in mind the current political and economic situation in Nepal.