A myth debunked: Nepal isn’t second richest country in water resources

Sujit Mainali / January 18, 2017

Nepali Congress central committee member Pradip Poudel.                                                   Photo: Youtube.com

Speaking on the Sajha Sawal program aired on Kantipur TV on January 8, Nepali Congress central committee member Pradip Poudel said: “In the world’s second richest country in terms of water resources, there used to be a power cut for up to 18 hours daily.”

Many in Nepal say that Nepal is the second richest country in terms of water resources. And many Nepalis hold this to be a fact. South Asia Check has examined whether this statement is fact-based or not.

A country is regarded as rich or poor in water resources on the basis of the availability of renewable water resources within its territory.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations had published a report in 2003, where the rich and poor countries of the world in terms of renewable water resources were identified.

According to the report, Brazil, Russia, Canada, Indonesia, China, Columbia, USA, Peru and India are among the nine richest countries in terms of water resources. Nepal is not included in this list.

Therefore, Pradip Poudel is wrong in saying Nepal is the second richest country in terms of water resources.

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