The Act establishes a legal framework for the utilization, conservation, management and development of water resources in Nepal. It declares that ownership of water resources is vested in the State and provides that, except for specified small-scale and domestic uses, water resources may be used only under a permit issued by the competent authority. The Act regulates applications, permits, transfers of permits, user associations, and the use of water resources for activities including drinking water supply, irrigation, agriculture, hydropower generation, industrial purposes, navigation and recreation. It establishes an order of priority among competing uses, with drinking water and domestic use ranking first, followed by irrigation, agricultural uses, hydropower and other purposes. The Act also contains provisions concerning project development, government intervention in water resource development, contractual arrangements, service charges, access to land, acquisition and use of land for water infrastructure, compensation, and protection of water-related structures. It authorizes the Government to prescribe water quality standards and pollution tolerance limits, prohibits pollution of water resources, and requires that water use avoid significant adverse environmental impacts such as soil erosion, floods and landslides. The Act further establishes enforcement measures, including permit cancellation, fines, compensation and imprisonment for certain offences, provides for appeals against specified administrative decisions and authorizes the issuance of implementing regulations.
Непал · 1992-12-17