Kathmandu, July 2 -- A proposed Water Resources Bill seeks to overhaul Nepal's legal framework governing water resources by aligning it with the country's federal governance structure. It defines the powers of the federal, provincial and local governments while introducing stricter provisions on water use, environmental protection and dam safety.

The draft legislation covers everything from the division of authority in irrigation and electricity development to water resource utilisation, dam security and water accounting.

Once enacted, it will replace the three-decade-old Water Resources Act, 1992, and establish clearer jurisdictional boundaries as well as revenue-sharing mechanisms among the three tiers of government.

The bill also pr...