Siraha: Madhesh Province Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh has emphasized the urgent need for a long-term groundwater recharge strategy to address the escalating water crisis in the region. Speaking at a program organized in Lahan on Tuesday, Chief Minister Singh said that continuous extraction of groundwater without any recharge mechanism has led to alarming depletion of underground water reserves.

“Deep boring alone is not a sustainable solution,” Singh warned. “In places where large deep borings have been installed, surrounding areas are already experiencing drying water sources.” He stressed that the natural cycle of water replenishment has been disrupted due to lack of absorption capacity in the soil, which is further worsened by urban infrastructure such as cemented roads, drains, and canals that prevent rainwater from seeping into the ground.

Highlighting the role of rainwater harvesting, Singh said, “We must promote systems that allow rainwater to be collected and absorbed into the soil.” He urged local governments to mandate rainwater harvesting in house construction approvals, develop recharge ponds, and preserve wetlands to enhance groundwater retention.

Singh also linked the water crisis to Chure region degradation, calling it the “heart of water for the Terai.” He warned that deforestation and unchecked exploitation in the Chure hills have severely impacted natural water retention. “The forest cover helps regulate the water flow and recharges groundwater gradually. If we continue to destroy it, we are speeding up desertification,” he said.

With Madhesh Province officially declared a dry zone this year and less than 50 percent of land cultivated due to drought, Singh expressed grave concern over declining water tables and potential future desertification. He concluded by calling for a campaign-style initiative across all levels of government to conserve water and restore ecological balance through sustainable solutions.