Biogas Sector Partnership – Nepal (BSP-N) has been actively working for the promotion of rainwater harvesting system in different rural areas since 2004. On account of its initiatives in promoting rainwater harvesting technology in 2005 Rain Foundation the Netherlands selected BSP-Nepal as the Rainwater Harvesting Capacity Center (RHCC) for Nepal. Through this center, BSP-Nepal together with other organizations is actively operating on areas such as raising awareness, capacity building, policy advocacy and construction of rainwater harvesting systems.

As an implementing partner for Nepal WASH Alliance (NWA), BSP-Nepal is contributing its expertise towards mitigating the issues surrounding water poverty, health and hygiene in rural areas of Nepal. The programme of promotion of Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) aims at addressing problem of inadequate access to safe water and sanitation service, couple with poor hygienic practices in rural communities of Nepal. The aim is to improve quantity and quality of water supply though rainwater and sanitation infrastructures, improving personal hygiene behaviors and domestic environmental sanitation situation particularly focusing on children, women, poor and marginalized people in the community in remote areas. Currently BSP-Nepal is promoting RWH technology in household and institution in Salyan, Dailekh and Kanchanpur districts, mid and far western region of the country.

BSP-Nepal believes that the programme cannot be provided with subsidy all the time. Once the programme stops to provide the subsidy the sector may not continue, unless there is provision of loan to install RWH system. So for sustainability purpose, the credit plays vital role in one side, on the other hand without the provision of credit even if there is provision of subsidy we cannot make RWH accessible to poor people. Therefore, BSP-Nepal/RHCC has initiated micro financing for RWH with support from Nepal Federation of Saving and Credit Union of Nepal (NEFSCUN).

Overall, this alliance has provided an opportunity for national NGOs to come under the same umbrella and work for the common goal to achieve universal access to safe water and sanitation. Adopting the FIETS strategy has helped to ensure to look at the implemented project from all dimensions and deliver successful results.

Prakash Lamichhane, BSP Nepal