Scope of Payment for Ecosystem Services Mechanism for ... - icimod

7.2 RecommendationsBased on the results, the following recommendations are made:1. Government and KUKL should take necessary action promptly to minimize waterleakage in the collection and distribution systems.2. Bhaktapur Municipality should disseminate relevant information about waterquality and water related health issues to both upstream and downstreamcommunities.3. KUKL should regularly monitor and maintain database water discharge fromMKW.4. A program to gradually replace Pinus spp in community forests with broadleafspecies should be initiated.5. An appropriate PES scheme should be developed and implemented for thebenefits of both upstream and downstream people. A detailed planning exerciseshould be conducted with the involvement of all major stakeholders (upstream anddownstream communities, Municipality, KUKL,and universities).6. The PES scheme could be facilitated by Bhaktapur Municipality and supported byKUKL. University students should be able to carry out detailed research on bio-physical and socio-economic issues relevant to PES.The following aspects will be relevant for a future PES scheme in Mahadev KholaWatershed.1. Establish a Mahadev Khola Environment Fund to help fund conservation andpoverty alleviation activities in the upstream areas.2. Levy an “ecosystem service tax: to visitors (picnickers, hikers) MKW upstreamarea.3. Include a “watershed service tax” in the water bill in the municipality. The ratecould be a percentage (eg.10%) of total water bill.4. Enhancing awareness about water holding trees and the consequences of Pinetrees to upstream.5. Introducing water quality maintaining plan for clean drinking water.6. Launching program to minimize water wastage in upstream.7. Giving alternative to chemical fertilizer and pesticide to minimize the waterpollution.45