Untold stories from the Himalaya: 20 solutions for waste and water management

The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), a region of immense natural beauty and ecological significance spans an area of 595,000 km² across the eight countries. It is the ‘water tower of Asia’ with the headwaters of 10 major river systems supporting about 1.9 billion people. However, the region is facing severe challenges due to rapid and unplanned urbanisation, climate change and environmental degradation. Rapid glacier retreat in a warming climate threatens future water supplies while concretised development will further disrupt hydrological patterns and reduce groundwater recharge leading to water scarcity and food insecurity. Increased population and rapid urbanisation also bring challenges on waste and sanitation services hampering the health of ecosystems and people. The Parvat Manthan Forum aims to build a collaborative and responsive platform that provides support to hill towns and cities in engaging with each other and central governments. The forum seeks to help these regions become more inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient in urban water and sanitation management. Its purpose is to bring together Himalayan towns and cities to act collectively toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). This initiative aligns with the UN's Decade for Action to achieve the SDGs, as well as the explicit recognition of the "human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment" at COP27. Under the Parvat Manthan forum, the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), in collaboration with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and supported by the Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association - South Asia (BORDA-SA) and the Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI), is publishing the compendium Untold stories from the Himalaya: 20 solutions for water and waste management. This compendium, ideated by NIUA, focuses on integrated water and waste management solutions specifically tailored for mountain regions. It documents best practices, innovative solutions— including technological advancements, business models, and community-driven actions—and initiatives from hill towns and cities in Bhutan, India’s Himalayan states, and Nepal. The primary aim is to showcase scalable solutions addressing key water and waste management challenges that can be replicated in other mountain towns and cities facing similar issues. Over 80 submissions were received through an open call, contributed by development organisations, independent professionals, private sector experts, think tanks, community-based organisations, and others involved in sustainable Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) solutions in mountainous areas. The compendium highlights 20 innovative solutions that have been screened and implemented to address water and waste management challenges in the mountainous context. These solutions provide strategic recommendations for: 1. Sustainable urban planning that embraces inclusive and resilient practices tailored to the unique needs of mountainous regions. 2. Development of climate-resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding natural disasters and climate impacts to ensure long-term sustainability. 3. Encouragement of community ownership and participation in environmental management and disaster risk reduction. 4. Formulation of mountain-specific policies and allocation of resources to support sustainable development in the region. This compendium serves as a knowledge repository, offering practical and innovative solutions that can be scaled and replicated across the region. It is hoped that this resource will inspire and guide policymakers, practitioners, and local communities in building a more resilient and sustainable future for the Himalayas.