Jhapa, April 8 -- Golatar village, which lies in the Chure region in ward 3 Mechinagar Municipality, was once fertile and self-sufficient in water resources. Nestled between the Ninda and Telpani streams, the village with around 150 families has been witnessing an alarming decline in water availability over the past decade.

A drinking water crisis now looms large in Golatar village. Both the streams, which until a few years ago flowed year-round, have all but dried up, leaving nearby farmlands parched and fallow.

Until about eight years ago, the village located in northern Jhapa had no shortage of water. The monsoon brought ample rain for paddy cultivation while various crops like maize, mustard and wheat were grown in the winter. The T...