DOLPA, Jan 6: There were days when the Dalit people of Dolpa had to walk for three long hours to fetch water from a local river. Despite knowing that the muddy water of the river is harmful to their health, they had no other option but to drink it for survival. However, there days have changed for good after a drinking water tap was installed in their locality for the first time.
 
 Dalits of Rila Ramphudobichyan, ward no. 11 of Thuli Bheri Municipality, have been elated after being provided with clean drinking water at their doorsteps. This has offered a great relief to a lot of them as they will no longer have to walk for miles in search of water. Six months ago, this project was initiated with the annual financial aid of Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) and Community-based Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project. A total budget of Rs 2.4 million was spent on the project. This drinking water project will be benefiting 31 houses of Dalit community here, according to Tekam Oli of NRCS, Dolpa.

Despite continuous pleas from the Dalit community, the local authorities always turned a blind eye to their water issues in the past. But they are happy that their miseries have finally ended after years of struggle. They had been long dreaming about having a clean drinking water source at their homes, which has finally been fulfilled. Hiradhani BK of this community is on cloud nine as she has been provided with drinking water at her own home. "I will no longer have to waste three hours to fetch water. I can instead use that time for doing other household works," she said.
 
 Similarly, the locals of Baijiwada, Kaike Rural Municipality ward no.5, have also been benefited by a similar project. NRCS, District Drinking Water Office, Community Empowerment Program and former Lawan VDC jointly invested Rs 2.5 million in the project.  This has benefited 43 households of Baijiwada village of the district.

 
• dalit villages
 
• clean drinking water
 
• dolpa