Water Harvesting Structures & Wetland Recharge in Rural Community Forests of Lalitpur

Under the technical and financial support of WWF Nepal, Niyatra Consult Pvt. Ltd. designed and supervised nature-based engineering solutions in rural community forests within Konjyosom Rural Municipality, Lalitpur District. The project focused on constructing water harvesting structures (recharge ponds) and bio-engineering interventions to revive local wetlands, enhance soil moisture retention, ensure wildlife water access, and improve water security for dependent local communities

• Project Name: Water Harvesting Structures & Wetland Recharge in Rural Community Forests of Lalitpur

• Client / Funding Agency: WWF Nepal

• Implementing Entity: Niyatra Consult Pvt. Ltd.

• Contract Value: NRs. 2,478,924.00 (Incl. VAT)

• Execution Period: April 2024 – June 2024 (2 Months)

• Location: Konjyosom Rural Municipality, Lalitpur District, Nepal

• Direct Outputs: 8 Water Harvesting Structures constructed with a cumulative capacity of 1,539 cubic meters

• Enhance Landscape Hydrology: Increase local groundwater recharge and restore micro-wetland functions through nature-based water storage solutions.

• Support Wildlife & Community Water Needs: Provide sustained water availability for wildlife in community forests while supporting livestock and agricultural requirements in adjoining rural settlements.

• Prevent Soil Erosion & Gully Formation: Utilize bio-engineering and retaining structures to stabilize slopes and mitigate runoff-induced land degradation.

• Empower Local Forest Governance: Build technical and management capacities of local Community Forest Users Groups (CFUGs) to ensure long-term maintenance of water infrastructure.

1. Stakeholder Engagement & Site Selection

• Coordinated multi-agency consultations involving the District Forest Office, Sub-Division Forest Office, Soil and Watershed Management Office, and Konjyosom Rural Municipality.

• Conducted field transects across local community forests to identify high-potential recharge zones based on soil permeability, topography, and runoff patterns.

2. Technical Design & Capacity Building

• Prepared detailed engineering designs, structural drawings, cost estimates, and site-specific bill of quantities (BoQ) for 8 water harvesting structures.

• Conducted technical orientation workshops for CFUG members on recharge pond dynamics, bio-engineering slope stabilization, and routine maintenance.

3. Construction Supervision & Implementation

• Mobilized local labor through CFUGs to execute excavation, embankment formation, retaining structure installation, and bio-engineering works.

• Supervised construction quality on-site, ensuring strict adherence to environmental engineering and safety standards.

• 8 Functional Water Harvesting Ponds: Successfully constructed across designated community forest areas in Konjyosom Rural Municipality.

• 1,539 $\text{m}^3$ Water Storage Capacity: Built $1,539 \text{ m}^3$ of total water volume capacity for ground percolation and direct wildlife/livestock access.

• Strengthened Micro-Watershed Health: Reduced surface runoff velocity, enhanced sub-surface moisture, and improved local vegetation recovery.

• Community-Led Stewardship: Successfully handed over fully operational structures to local CFUGs with established management procedures.