NHA celebrates Global Hydropower Day, honours NHA founders and past presidents

Kathmandu; Nepal Hydropower Association (NHA), in collaboration with Hydro Lab, felicitated NHA founding members and past presidents recognizing their contribution to the hydropower sector in Nepal. Marking the Global Hydropower Day, the NHA honoured its former officials amid a program.

The Global Hydropower Day is celebrated on 11th October to acknowledge and celebrate the positive impacts of hydropower on communities and individuals. The NHA celebrated this day by honouring the founding members of NHA and senior members and exchanging good wishes for the coming festival of Dashain and Tihar.

The event was hosted by NHA member Er. Samjhana Chhusyabaga. NHA Secretary Er. Narayan Hari Rijal welcomed the guest with a welcome speech. Sunita Khanal, an environmentalist at the Department of Electricity Development (DoED) gave a presentation on “Environmental Protocols for Sustainable Hydropower Development”. In her presentation, Khanal highlighted the current legal and institutional set-up for sustainable development, regulatory and monitoring provisions, and hindrances to sustainable hydropower development as well as delved into possible ways out.

NHA President and Accredited Assessor of HSS Er. Arun Rajauria gave a presentation on "Hydropower Sustainability Standards." He highlighted the principles of Hydropower Sustainability Standards (HSS), the organizational structure of the Hydropower Sustainability Council (HSC), the HSS certification process and the benefits of certification and its links to international financial instruments such as green bonds, especially in the context of Nepal.

The program was concluded with a vote of thanks and wishes for upcoming Dashai/Tihar festivals by Rajauria.