Communities are frequently excluded from important aspects of environmental management. But they can play a fundamental role in the management of common pool resources such as water. This is particularly true when state capacity is weak or when communities remain on the periphery of support from any government.

This report is based on the outcome of discussions during a roundtable conference on ’Blue Revolution: Charting South Asia’s Water Future’ organised on 11 April, 2011, by ORF in collaboration with PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In view of the vital importance of water for human and animal life, for maintaining ecological balance and for economic and development activities of all kinds and considering its increasing scarcity, the planning and management of this resources and its optimal, economical and equitable use has become a matter of utmost urgency.

This training manual is intended to help to WaterAid in Nepal’s partners and stakeholders train community leaders in developing integrated plans for managing water resource at community level.

Water is predicted to be the primary medium through which early climate change impacts will be felt by people, ecosystems and economies. Both observational records and climate projections provide strong evidence that freshwater resources are vulnerable, and have the potential to be strongly impacted.

This document sets out a guideline for adopting water resource management initiatives while delivering water, sanitation and hygiene education services in both rural and urban contexts. It is intended to guide WaterAid’s partners in Nepal in the delivery of appropriate services and technologies to fit the needs of different users.