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Progress Update RoSPro Project, Nepal

In Nepal’s Himalayan region, springs are essential for drinking water, agriculture, and livelihoods, but they face increasing threats from various factors, including poorly planned road development. The Roadside Spring Protection (RoSPro) project, funded by PvW and led by MetaMeta in partnership with ICIMOD and FutureWater, is tackling this challenge by aligning road infrastructure with hydrogeological and community needs in Dhankuta district in Nepal.
RoSPro follows a participatory approach, working closely with local stakeholders to identify vulnerable springs, co-design interventions, and implement them at two levels—spring outlets along roads and spring recharge areas. This holistic approach not only secures vital water resources but also ensures sustainable road infrastructure. The project has already delivered some clear benefits:

• Improved roads with reduced water-related damage, making them safer and more durable.
• Increased water availability for drinking, domestic, and agricultural use, with a new distribution system that brings water directly to homes, saving time and effort for local communities.
• Active participation from local institutions, gaining valuable skills, with some committing to replicate and maintain the interventions.

Additionally, a cost-benefit analysis and digital twin are being developed to evaluate the broader impact and guide future scaling efforts across the Hindu Kush Himalayan region.
Check out the before-and-after photos below to see the transformation—how water-smart roads are improving lives, protecting ecosystems, and creating lasting change.