Dhangadhi, March 7: The Transboundary Rivers of South Asia (TROSA), a project on the utilization of border river implemented in the community along the Mahakali River, has been handed over to the local government and community.

The project has been handed over to the heads of local governments and community representatives who participated in a two-day workshop on TROSA project held in Dhangadhi. Stakeholders participating in the workshop have also expressed their four-point commitment to continue the project in the coming days.

The project was implemented five years ago in the community along the Mahakali River flowing through Darchula, Baitadi, Dadeldhura and Kanchanpur districts.

On the occasion, Dr Arju Rana Deuba, central member of the Nepali Congress and founder of the Rural Women's Development and Unity Centre (RUWDUC) suggested that a commission be formed to work on the border river Mahakali. She said that the locals have achieved a lot while working for the community living on the banks of the river Mahakali for five years.

National Director of the project, run by RUWDUC with the support of OXFAM Nepal, Krishna Kumal Shrestha said that the community living along the river has become aware of how to establish their rights over water through the activities conducted by the project.

Efforts have been made to empower women in such communities. The project has also worked to reduce the damage caused by the annual floods in the Mahakali River. For this, early warning system has been set up in the Mahakali river section in Rangoon of Dadeldhura.

Discussions were also held with the concerned parties on how to link tourism promotion through voyages. Apart from Nepal, the project is also working in India, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The achievements of the project were also reviewed among the stakeholders at the workshop. The project was implemented with the support of NGOs including RWUDUC, NEEDS, CRDS and Oxfam.