dZi partners with six municipalities across four districts and three provinces in eastern Nepal.
For more than two decades, dZi has partnered with some of the most geographically remote and underserved communities in Nepal’s eastern hills. Together, we have improved food and water security, expanded access to education, strengthened infrastructure, and fostered long-term resilience for over 61,000 people across 13 communities in five rural municipalities.
Building on this foundation, in 2025, dZi began expanding its work across the Koshi River Basin, which is home to more than 11.5 million people and a critical agricultural region vulnerable to climate change. Our partnerships now extend beyond our long-term base in the Khotang District, in total working with six partner municipalities across four districts.
dZi's expansion reflects a strategic shift in how we work. Our work has been grounded in deep engagement at the community level. Our partnerships have grown from the ground up, and we are continuing to test and prove our model at the municipality level. This strategic shift also marks a time of intentional transition, winding down direct programming in areas where we’ve met our impact targets.
Our vision is clear – a world of inclusive, thriving, and resilient communities is possible when communities have the right tools to achieve shared prosperity on local terms. We don’t just deliver services – we help ensure communities are seen, heard, and served by their own systems of governance.
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About The Koshi River Basin
Originating in the Tibetan Plateau, the rivers of the Koshi River Basin flow through Nepal and India to join the Ganges. It is known as the Sapta Koshi (seven rivers) in Nepal, with major tributaries being the Sun Koshi, Arun, and Tamor.
Geography: The basin features extreme altitude variations, including six of the world’s fourteen 8,000m+ peaks (such as Mt. Everest) and low-lying, flood-prone Terai plains.
Climate: Varies from cold/arid in the north to sub-tropical/tropical in the south, with over 80% of precipitation falling during the monsoon.
Land Use: Dominated by grasslands (40%), followed by native forests (24%), and agriculture (12%).
Agricultural Livelihoods: More than 80% of the population in the basin relies on agriculture for food and employment. The river is essential for irrigating the fertile, densely populated plains of Bihar (India) and Nepal.
Environmental & Biodiversity Value: The basin contains diverse ecosystems, including protected areas in the Himalayan region, which are crucial for maintaining regional biodiversity.
Hydrological Dynamics: The river's flow is heavily influenced by monsoons and snowmelt, leading to high sedimentation and nutrient transport, which sustains floodplain fertility but causes frequent, severe flooding.
Challenges Facing The Koshi River Basin
- Climate Change: The region is experiencing rising temperatures, leading to reduced snowfall, increased glacier melt, and altered discharge patterns, which threaten ecosystem stability and water security.
- Human Impact: Rapid population growth and urbanization in the southern part of the basin are driving land-use changes, deforestation, and water pollution (including microplastics).
- Vulnerability: The basin has a high poverty rate, making local communities highly dependent on natural resources and vulnerable to environmental disasters.