Why water security is the precondition for economic growth

It’s unclear if the state understands the scale and urgency of the water crisis affecting the economy.

Backed by a decisive parliamentary majority, Nepal’s new government has embarked on a much-needed corrective course to address decades of sluggish economic growth. It aims to raise per capita income to $3,000 within the next five years through 7 percent annual growth. However, it remains unclear if its leaders fully grasp the emerging challenges that now add a serious threat to economic sustainability. Rapid depletion of water sources , particularly groundwater, proves far more momentous than conventional environmental issues. While the government acknowledges the broader impacts of climate change, it’s unclear whether it truly understands the scale and urgency of the water crisis already affecting the economy, let alone possesses the resolve to address it effectively. The hard truth is that one cannot build a secure and prosperous future on an empty aquifer.