Activities
The following program and projects are being implemented under the GWRDB in the country:
Groundwater Investigation Program
Groundwater Investigation Program started in the country in F.Y.2026/27. USAID was the first to conduct primary groundwater investigation program in Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Banke, Baridya, Kailali and Kanchanpur districts through construction of deep tubewells. Afterward, with the help of UNDP, GON carried out shallow aquifer investigation project covering whole districts of the Terai. From then onwards, GWRDP has been continuously conducting investigation programs by constructing deep and shallow tubewells, and by carrying out geophysical survey, water level monitoring of existing tubewells and water quality analysis programs. The project also aims to start hydrogeological study of Kathmandu Valley, mountains and Karst aquifer of the surrounding area.
Community Shallow Tubewell Irrigation Project (CSTIP)
Community Shallow Tubewell Irrigation Project, with the loan assistance of International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) was implemented in drought and flood affected five districts of Terai region namely Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, Sarlahi and Rautahat. The project started its implementation work in F.Y. 1994/95 and was completed in December 2000. Through manual and machine drill shallow tubewell irrigation scheme, the project provided irrigation facility for 4855 ha. of land. Around 60,000 population are benefited directly or indirectly by this project.
Bhairahwa Lumbini Groundwater Project (BLGWP)
The project started its implementation work in Rupandehi District under the loan assistance of World Bank in F.Y. 1976/77. The project constructed 181 deep tubewells, 272 km of farm road, 287 km of electrification and provided irrigation facility for 20,309 ha. of land.
Nepal Irrigation Sector Project (NISP), Ground water component
Irrigation Line of Credit (ILC) with the assistance of World Bank had been launched as a pilot project since F.Y. 047/046 and completed in F.Y. 053/054. All total 14602 ha. was the target to irrigate, out of which about 4960 ha. of land irrigated in 8 Terai districts (Navalparasi to Kanchanpur) through shallow tubewells and deep tubewells. The remaining irrigable area and the additional potential area are developed under Nepal Irrigation Sector project.
Nepal Irrigation Sector Project which started in F.Y.054/055 with the loan assistance of World Bank was implemented in 8 western districts of Terai namely Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur. Of the total target of 7,500 ha., the project provided irrigation facility to 6482 ha. of land.
Community Groundwater Irrigation Sector Project (CGISP)
CGISP started in F.Y.054/055, the project was implemented in 12 Terai districts of eastern and central development region of the country with the loan assistance of ADB. The main aim of the project was to develop 15,000 shallow tubewells to irrigate around 60,000 ha. of land. The project installed 19767 numbers. of shallow tubewells providing irrigation to 37685 ha. of land.
Groundwater Irrigation Project (GWIP)
Groundwater Irrigation Project is principally guided by 20 years (055/056 to 074/075) Agriculture Perspective Plan (APP) and conducts program with close consultation with other program. The project is implemented in 20 district of whole Terai. To date, the project has provided irrigation for 18225 ha. through shallow tubewells and 2,240 ha. through deep tubewell.
Deep Tubwell / Shallow Tubewell Irrigation Project
Deep Tubewell Irrigation Project, (a farmers’ managed DTW irrigation systems) is being implemented in Jhapa, Sunsari, Saptari and Siraha districts in the Eastern Development Region of Nepal under the immediate relief package for drought affected areas with grant assistance of the Government of India. The main activity of this project is to develop 22 DTW irrigation systems in order to irrigate around 880 ha. of land. The project started in F.Y. 061/062. The project has completed 10 numbers of DTW irrigation system and has provided irrigation to 240 ha. of land.
Similarly, Shallow Tubewell Irrigation Project is being implemented in this F.Y. 064/065 under the grant assistance of Government of India in Dhanusha and Mahottari. This project shall provide irrigation facility to 1,000 ha. of land in the region.