Kathmandu: Bottlers Nepal Limited (BNL) and Centre for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD) held a ceremony to mark the launch of their joint initiative the Artificial Groundwater Recharge Project at Civil Service Hospital on July 1. The ceremony was attended by representatives from Civil Service Hospital, Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal (CCBN) and the Centre for Integrated Urban Development reaffirming the importance of collaborative action in addressing Kathmandu’s growing urban water challenges.
CIUD stated that as Kathmandu continues to experience declining groundwater levels and increasing urban flooding, the project will demonstrate a practical groundwater recharge solution that captures rainwater and storm water runoff to replenish underground aquifers. They stated, “Covering a catchment area of approximately 4,345 square meters, the system is expected to replenish nearly 6.25 million liters of groundwater annually, while reducing localized flooding and contributing to more resilient urban water management.”
Achyut Raj Regmi, Under Secretary of Civil Service Hospital shared, “We are happy to have Coca-Cola and CIUD’s initiation of replenishing groundwater in our hospital area as this gives direct benefits to the communities around the hospital. We look forward to more such assistance, through their socially responsible programs that benefit the society in the future”.
BNL, CCBN, and CIUD demonstrated yet another long-standing partnership in water stewardship program following the successful implementation of groundwater recharge initiatives at Ranibari (Ward 3, Kathmandu Metropolitan City), UCEP in Thimi Municipality, Rajdal Army Barrack in Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Balaju Park (Ward 16, Kathmandu Metropolitan City), and most recently in Wards 22 and 25 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how public-private partnerships can deliver scalable, community-focused solutions to Nepal’s growing water challenges.
CIUD concluded their statement saying that the Artificial Groundwater Recharge Project is expected to serve as a replicable model for hospitals, schools, government offices and other public institutions throughout Kathmandu Valley, contributing to long-term groundwater conservation, improved urban resilience and sustainable water management.
