Publications

@article{Ray2021,
title = {An Assessment of Spatial Distribution of Water Demand in the Extended East Rapti (EER) Watershed, Nepal},
author = {Anupama Ray and Vishnu Prasad Pandey},
isbn = {2091-0851},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-03-22},
journal = {WASH Journal},
volume = {18},
pages = {43-53},
abstract = {Water is an essential element in nourishing the quality of life as it is connected to food, energy, and environmental security. Understanding water availability, water demand and water quality are prerequisite for achieving outcomes related to water-sanitation-hygiene (WASH) and then ensure water security. This study assessed various types of water demands in the Extended East Rapti (EER) watershed located in Central Nepal based on both secondary and primary data. The key water demands considered in the EER watershed are domestic, irrigation, industry, institutional, non-domestic, fire-fighting and losses. The total domestic- related water demand for the present (2019) is estimated to be 49.16 Million Cubic Meters (MCM). Considering the trend of population growth of 3.09% and 2.04% for Chitwan and Makwanpur, respectively, total annual domestic-related water demand in the year 2050 is projected to be 113.45 MCM. This implies that future domestic-related water demand is projected to increase by about 131% in 2050. The current annual irrigation demand for EER is estimated to be 2,760 MCM and planned irrigation demand is 4,162 MCM. Future irrigation water demand is projected to increase by 51%. The estimated average water consumption in the Hetauda Industrial State (HIS) and Chitwan is about 0.52 MCM and 1.3 MCM, respectively. The estimated water demand for planned Shaktikhor and Mayurdhap Industrial States would be 15.46 MCM and 0.32 MCM, respectively. These estimates of
present and future water demands may help in devising and implementing strategies for water demand and supply management, and therefore have implications in achieving water security and sustainable development goals (SDGs).},
keywords = {East Rapti watershed, Nepal, water demand, water security},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Pant2020,
title = {Actors in customary and modern trade of Caterpillar Fungus in Nepalese high mountains: who holds the power?},
author = {Basant Pant and Rajesh Kumar Rai and Sushma Bhattarai and Nilhari Neupane and Rajan Kotru and Dipesh Pyakurel},
doi = {10.3934/GF.2020020},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-11-19},
journal = {Green Finance},
volume = {2},
number = {4},
pages = {373-391},
abstract = {This paper assesses the supply chain of Yartsagunbu (Caterpillar Fungus) in Darchula district of Nepal to identify who holds the power and how they gain power for management and marketing. We recorded two types of supply chain: (ⅰ) open supply chain, driven by open market, where the product is transported to Kathmandu before export to international market, and (ⅱ) close chain practiced by indigenous Shauka community following customary trade route to Tibet. The open chain is longer with higher number of actors compared to the close chain. This study observed that actors have intensive horizontal competition in the open chain to collect and purchase maximum quantity. Therefore, profit is disproportionately distributed to the actors in higher level of the supply chain. The profit is based on the price the actor receives, which is determined by their bargaining power. An actor's bargaining power is determined by the capital holding capacity, market information, risk appetite, networking and social ties. The study suggests that Government's interventions such as providing security to traders, access to finance, organizing auction and providing market information can help to increase the bargaining power of lower level actors. The study also suggests to minimize the disturbance in the collection site through limiting the collection permit and revising the revenue based on the market price.},
keywords = {bargaining power, collectors, Nepal, Shauka, traders, Trans-Himalayan trade},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{KHATIWADA2019100239,
title = {Characterization of hydro-meteorological drought in Nepal Himalaya: A case of Karnali River Basin},
author = {Kabi Raj Khatiwada and Vishnu Prasad Pandey},
url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212094718302044},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2019.100239},
issn = {2212-0947},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Weather and Climate Extremes},
volume = {26},
pages = {100239},
abstract = {Himalayan river basin is marked by a complex topography with limited observational data. In the context of increasing extreme events, this study aims to characterize drought events in the Karnali River Basin (KRB). Firstly, historical data for 34-years (1981–2014) from ten different stations were analyzed to compute following drought indices: Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI), Self-Calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (sc-PDSI), Standardized Streamflow Index (SFI), and Palmer Hydrological Drought Severity Index (PHDI). Among them, SPI is able to capture the drought duration and intensity fairly well with the others. Secondly, SPI was used to analyse the drought of the entire basin. The SPI analysis showed occurrence of major drought events in the recent years: 1984–85, 1987–88, 1992–93, 1994–95, 2004–09, and 2012. The winter drought of 1999, 2006, 2008–09 were widespread and the monsoon drought is increasing its frequency. No particular pattern of drought was observed from the historical data; however, yield sensitivity index revealed that precipitation pattern and anomaly is influencing crop yield in the area. Being the first study revealing prevalence of the drought in KRB, it can provide a basis for prioritizing interventions focused on drought management in the region.},
keywords = {Climate change, Drought indices, Karnali river basin, Meteorological drought, Nepal, Precipitation anomaly, Yield sensitivity index},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{article,
title = {Estimation of water use coefficient for assessing industrial water demand of various industries of Kathmandu valley},
author = {Rabin Malla and Aashis Sapkota and Palpasa Prajapati},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
volume = {V},
pages = {21-26},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Zhou2019,
title = {An integrated assessment of climate-affected long-term water availability and its impacts on energy security in the Ganges sub-basins},
author = {Xin Zhou and Bijon Kumer Mitra and Devesh Sharma and Tarekul G M Islam and Rabin Malla and Diego Silva Herran},
doi = {10.30852/sb.2019.612},
issn = {2185761X},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {APN Science Bulletin},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
publisher = {Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Prajapati2017,
title = {Assessing the effectiveness of pollutant removal by macrophytes in a floating wetland for wastewater treatment},
author = {Meera Prajapati and Johan J A van Bruggen and Tatenda Dalu and Rabin Malla},
url = {http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s13201-017-0625-2},
doi = {10.1007/s13201-017-0625-2},
issn = {2190-5487},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-12-01},
journal = {Applied Water Science},
volume = {7},
number = {8},
pages = {4801--4809},
publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Sapkota2016,
title = {Hydraulic and Sediment Handling Performance Assessment of Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project ( RJKIP ) by Conjunctive Use of 1D and 3D Simulation Models},
author = {Aashis Sapkota and Hari Prasad Pandit and Rajesh Shrestha},
doi = {10.14456/nuej.2016.1},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-01-01},
journal = {Naresuan University Engineering Journal},
volume = {11},
pages = {1--6},
keywords = {- hec-ras, flushing, hydraulics, manning, s n, sediment, ssiim, trap efficiency},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Malla2015,
title = {Physico-Chemical and Oxygen-Hydrogen Isotopic Assessment of Bagmati and Bishnumati Rivers and the Shallow Groundwater along the River Corridors in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal},
author = {Rabin Malla and Sarita Shrestha and Saroj K Chapagain and Maneesha Shakya and Takashi Nakamura},
url = {http://www.scirp.org/journal/doi.aspx?DOI=10.4236/jwarp.2015.717117},
doi = {10.4236/jwarp.2015.717117},
issn = {1945-3094},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Water Resource and Protection},
volume = {07},
number = {17},
pages = {1435--1448},
publisher = {Scientific Research Publishing, Inc,},
abstract = {The direct dumping of solid wastes into the rivers, discharge of industrial effluents together with direct discharge of domestic sewage have excessively polluted the major rivers Bagmati and Bishnumati. Groundwater along these river corridors is also affected from pollution of these rivers. Two major rivers: Bagmati and Bishnumati and shallow tube wells adjacent to these rivers were monitored for 2 years. Samples were analysed for the stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen ($delta$D and $delta$18O) and selected physico-chemical parameters to investigate the possible interrelationship between river water and shallow groundwater along these river corridors. The physico-chemical values revealed that shallow groundwater and river water along the Bishnumati River corridor were heavily mineralized due to direct discharge of sewage wastes into this river. The isotope compositions of river water and shallow groundwater clustered together revealed possible interrelationship between them. Some of the isotopic compositions of groundwater and river water deviated below the Local Meteoric Water Line (LMWL) indicating that the water has undergone evaporation. The isotopic and chemical results suggested possible interrelationship between river water and groundwater. Fractional contribution of the river water to groundwater was calculated based on isotopic data using mass balance approach. Results showed that shallow groundwater SG1, along the Bagmati River corridor (in September 2013), was composed of approximately 30% - 40% Bagmati River water. Similarly, shallow groundwater SG5 of Bishnumati River corridor (in September 2013), was composed of approximately 45% - 50% river water. This result indicated that high portion of river water mixed-up with adjoining shallow groundwater along the river corridors. Further, the mix-up of the river water with groundwater can be harmful when rivers are polluted. These findings can be useful for a better understanding of hydrogeological processes at the river-aquifer interface and eventually benefit water management of the Kathmandu Valley in future.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Shrestha2015,
title = {Risk of diarrhoea from shallow groundwater contaminated with enteropathogens in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal},
author = {Sadhana Shrestha and Eiji Haramoto and Rabin Malla and Kei Nishida},
doi = {10.2166/wh.2014.036},
issn = {14778920},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Water and Health},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {259--269},
publisher = {IWA Publishing},
abstract = {Shallow groundwater is the main water source among many alternatives in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, which has a rapidly growing population and intermittent piped water supply. Although human pathogens are detected in groundwater, its health effects are unclear. We estimated risk of diarrhoea from shallow groundwater use using quantitative microbial risk assessment. Escherichia coli, Giardia cyst and Cryptosporidium oocyst levels were analysed in dug and tube wells samples. E. coli concentrations were converted to those of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC). Risks from EPEC in dug wells and from Cryptosporidium and Giardia in both dug and tube wells were higher than the acceptable limit (textless10textlesssuptextgreater-4textless/suptextgreater infections/person-year) for both drinking and bathing exposures. Risk from protozoan enteropathogens increased the total risk 10,000 times, indicating that ignoring protozoans could lead to serious risk underestimation. Bathing exposure considerably increased risk, indicating that it is an important pathway. Point-of-use (POU) water treatment decreased the risk six-fold and decreased risk overestimation. Because removal efficiency of POU water treatment has the largest impact on total risk, increasing the coverage and efficiency of POU water treatment could be a practical risk management strategy in the Kathmandu Valley and similar settings.},
keywords = {Exposure pathways, Health impact, Monte Carlo simulation, Point-of-use water treatment, Probabilistic analysis, Sensitivity analysis},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Shrestha2014,
title = {Seasonal variation in the microbial quality of shallow groundwater in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal},
author = {Sadhana Shrestha and Takashi Nakamura and Rabin Malla and Kei Nishida},
doi = {10.2166/ws.2013.213},
issn = {16069749},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-01-01},
journal = {Water Science and Technology: Water Supply},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {390--397},
publisher = {IWA Publishing},
abstract = {To develop effective groundwater pollution control strategies for the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, seasonal variations in microbial quality and their underlying mechanisms must be understood. However, to date, there are no studies that address these topics. In this study, groundwater samples from dug wells were collected during the dry and wet seasons from 2009 to 2012, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) and total coliforms were analysed. Three wells were monitored each month for a year. Microbial concentrations in shallow groundwater were significantly higher during the wet season than during the dry season. Analyses of rainfall and E. coli concentrations in different seasons indicated that a high level of faecal material infiltration during the rainy season may have caused the seasonal variations in microbial quality. A moderate to strong relationship between E. coli concentrations and groundwater level suggested that the rise in groundwater levels during the wet season may be another reason for this variation. This long time-scale survey detected a significant decline in the microbial quality of shallow groundwater during the wet season as compared with the dry season. We propose that the infiltration of contaminants and change in groundwater level are the two probable mechanisms for the observed seasonal differences. textcopyright IWA Publishing 2014.},
keywords = {Kathmandu Valley, Microbial pollution, Seasonal variation, Shallow groundwater},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Manandhar2012,
title = {Hydro-climatic trends and people's perceptions: Case of Kali Gandaki River Basin, Nepal},
author = {Sujata Manandhar and Vishnu Prasad Pandey and Futaba Kazama},
doi = {10.3354/cr01108},
issn = {0936577X},
year = {2012},
date = {2012-01-01},
journal = {Climate Research},
volume = {54},
number = {2},
pages = {167--179},
abstract = {Water resources, especially snow-fed rivers, are vulnerable to climate change. Water resources management requires analysis of both hydro-climatic trends and people's perception of climate change. We used available data to assess hydro-climatic trends, and household surveys to assess perceptions of climate change and its effects, in the snow-fed Kali Gandaki River Basin (KGRB) in western Nepal. The methodology consisted of: (1) definition and calculation of climate variability indices, (2) assessment of people's perception of climate change, (3) analysis of river flow variability and (4) discussion and summary of the spatial variation in climatic trends, peoples' perceptions, and the effects of climate change. The results showed a greater warming trend at higher altitude, while precipitation indices showed variable trends. Increasing temperature at high altitudes has affected pre-monsoon, post-monsoon and minimum discharges in the Kali Gandaki River. Household surveys in the Mustang district indicate that people's perception of climate change is consistent with climate data. They are concerned about the prevailing effects on water resources, ecological systems, agriculture and livelihoods. This will facilitate water resources planning and management in the basin. textcopyright Inter-Research 2012.},
keywords = {Climate change, Hydro-climatic trends, Kali Gandaki River Basin, Perception, Snow-fed river},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Tanaka2012,
title = {Characterization of microbial communities distributed in the groundwater pumped from deep tube wells in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal},
author = {Yasuhiro Tanaka and Kei Nishida and Takashi Nakamura and Saroj Kumar Chapagain and Daisuke Inoue and Kazunari Sei and Kazuhiro Mori and Yasushi Sakamoto and Futaba Kazama},
doi = {10.2166/wh.2011.086},
issn = {14778920},
year = {2012},
date = {2012-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Water and Health},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {170--180},
abstract = {Although groundwater is a major water supply source in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal, it is known that the groundwater has significant microbial contamination exceeding the drinking water quality standard recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), and that this has been implicated in causing a variety of diseases among people living in the valley. However, little is known about the distribution of pathogenic microbes in the groundwater. Here, we analysed the microbial communities of the six water samples from deep tube wells by using the 16S rRNA gene sequences based culture-independent method. The analysis showed that the groundwater has been contaminated with various types of opportunistic microbes in addition to fecal microbes. Particularly, the clonal sequences related to the opportunistic microbes within the genus Acinetobacter were detected in all samples. As many strains of Acinetobacter are known as multi-drug resistant microbes that are currently spreading in the world, we conducted a molecular-based survey for detection of the gene encoding carbapenem-hydrolysing $beta$-lactamase (bla oxa-23-like gene), which is a key enzyme responsible for multi-drug resistance, in the groundwater samples. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using two specific primer sets for amplifying bla oxa-23-like gene indicated that two of six groundwater samples contain multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter. textcopyright IWA Publishing 2012.},
keywords = {Acinetobacter, Deep tube well, Groundwater, Microbial community, Multi-drug resistance},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Pandey2011,
title = {A framework for measuring groundwater sustainability},
author = {Vishnu P Pandey and Sangam Shrestha and Saroj K Chapagain and Futaba Kazama},
doi = {10.1016/j.envsci.2011.03.008},
issn = {14629011},
year = {2011},
date = {2011-06-01},
journal = {Environmental Science and Policy},
volume = {14},
number = {4},
pages = {396--407},
abstract = {This paper develops a structured framework that considers an index of means for achieving sustainability, the 'groundwater sustainability infrastructure index (GSII)', as a measure of groundwater sustainability. The infrastructure here refers to the existing knowledge, practices and institutions whose adequate strengthening helps achieve groundwater sustainability. The index is composed of five components (groundwater monitoring-GwM, knowledge generation and dissemination-KgD, regulatory interventions-ReI, public participation-PuP and institutional responsibility-InR) which disaggregate into 16 indicators. The index is illustrated with Kathmandu Valley in Nepal as a case study site. The study results showed that overall situation of the 'groundwater sustainability infrastructures' in Kathmandu Valley is relatively poor (GSII = 0.22). The scores of all the components of the index lie on the lower side of the sustainability scale (0-1, 1 representing the highest degree of sustainability). Therefore, more attentions are required to strengthen the sustainability infrastructures and subsequently achieve groundwater sustainability in the valley. Results of the GSII application demonstrated that the index could highlight areas for improvement and ultimately guide appropriate action and policy-making towards sustainable groundwater management. textcopyright 2011 Elsevier Ltd.},
keywords = {Groundwater, Kathmandu, Sustainability, Sustainability infrastructure, Sustainable management},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}