Abstract ID: 3.19024 | Not reviewed | Requested as: Talk | TBA | TBA

Water contamination and the associated morbidity and mortality are among the major areas of concern for the planners and policy makers in the developing countries. Situation in the Himalayan region is no different. The Himalayan region represents one of the most dynamic and complex mountain systems and extremely vulnerable to global warming. Preliminary studies indicate that temperature increases are greater during the winter and autumn than summers and the increases are larger at higher altitudes. Climate change is severely impacting the hydrological cycle and, consequently, water management by substantially affecting both water resource availability and quality. Increased water-related risks associated with the changes in frequency and intensity of extreme events put additional strain on water resource management and increase uncertainty about quantity and quality of water supplies. This is further expected to increase the health effects of water and in turn the morbidity-induced income and welfare impacts by increasing the burden of out of pocket medical expenses and loss of earnings. Thus, water governance, distribution and water quality are all very important from the public health and human welfare perspectives.
This study focuses on the analysis of water quality in the two major cities in the western Himalayas namely Shimla and Kathmandu. Divided in four parts, part II of the paper presents the study context and problem diagnostics. Part III is devoted to key concerns and the way forward. Finally, part IV presents’ conclusions and the research agenda. It is argued that among the factors that are responsible for this outcome are: primitive water treatment technologies, lack of good sanitary practices, lack of ecosystem focused water governance, and absence of effective water quality monitoring and surveillance. Therefore, effective water and sanitation management requires a holistic approach that takes a multidimensional view beyond the traditional confines of technology.