The Wangchhu water security index system and Wangchhu index report for 2017 are launched at the regional project completion workshop in Thimphu today. The projects were part of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) project on ‘Strengthening Integrated Water Resource Management in Mountainous River Basins.’
It is being implemented in three South Asian Countries; Afghanistan, Bhutan and Nepal.
The Wangchhu water security index system is an online water security database system that automatically generates water security information system for a specific river basin. The database system enables concerned agencies and competent authorities to get access to water security data related to their respective mandate.
“The Wangchhu water security index system is an online database created whereby the five Dzongkhags under the Wangchhu basin namely Haa, Paro, Chhukha, Thimphu and parts of Dagana will enter data into the system. This will generate a database and showcase an index whereby we can understand the different stages of water security in the country,” Jigchen Lhazom, the Assistant Environment Officer of NEC, said.
Wangchhu index report for 2017, is the first of its kind. The report demonstrates the utility of the online database system in informing decision-makers, stakeholders and the general public on progress towards water security.
Bhutan further wants to go beyond the Wangchhu basin and develop an overall water resource in the region.
The projects have been implemented since December 2016 and with the workshop, it marks the end of the project completion.
Kelzang Choden
