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| Farmer Managed Irrigation Systems in Nepal - Interrelated irrigation systems of Rani Jamara and Kulariya |
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Reference |
| Pradhan, Prachanda: " Farmer Managed Irrigation Systems in Nepal.", Nepal Field Operations of International Irrigation Management Institute, Kathmandu. (Year of publishing is not mentioned, but reference has been made to articles from 1989). |
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Introduction to the Institution |
| The three interrelated irrigation systems Rani Jamara and Kulariya are located in the eastern part of the Kailali district, and covers an area of 15000 ha.. The canal construction was initiated by Colonel Dhundi Raj Sahi some 60 years ago. At that time only a few villages existed in the district. The Nepalese government tried to encourage the cultivation of new lands through giving a 10-year land revenue holiday to landlords who cultivated new land. Thus, new villages settled, and people were brought in from other areas. The immigrants worked for the landlords, initially under a very unstable system in which they had to move from place to place to get work. Today the agricultural labourers are hired on the basis of one year contracts, known as kamaiya. They receive food plus renumeration and credit when they need it. The Tharus compose the major part of the agricultural labour force |
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Coverage of the Institution |
| Geographical and historical coverage is not reported. The institution is concurrent, but has episodic elements. |
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Rules for Management
of the Institution |
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(a) Boundary Rules |
| Not reported. |
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(b) Governance
rules |
| Functionaries of the irrigation organisation have the following roles and functions;
- The Chaudhary is the chief of the irrigation system. Previously the local landlord would occupy this seat, but today Tharus have become chaudharies in Rani and Kulariya. The Chaudhary calls village leaders to resolve issues regarding irrigation and has the leading role in conflict resolution. He determines the dates for mobilizing the farmers assembly (Desawar) for repair and desilting of the main canal and he must be present during all labour mobilization and maintenance work.
- The Pan Chirage is the messenger of the irrigation system. The Chaudhary communicates to the village leaders through the Pan Chirage. The major responsibility of the Pan Chirage is to go to the intake every other day and monitor the system. He will report to the Chaudhary on the condition of the canal and dams. Also, he will announce the date for mobilization for canal repair work, according to the decision of the Desawar.
- The village leader (Badhgar) is responsible for the village irrigation canal. He must obtain the participation of the villagers in maintenance work and bring a number of labourers, as agreed with the Chaudhary, to the annual repair work on the canal. If he ails to bring the required number of people he will be fined. Furthermore he is expected to settle conflicts within the village and maintain the village water distribution schedule.
- The Nandarwa allocates the area to be desilted by each village. During mobilization of all farmers, he supervise the work and decide whether the work is completed. Work quotas taking soil conditions into account have been agreed upon and he allocates work in accordance whith these. The Nandarwa is assisted by The Pachuwa, who also will work in his absence.
- The Lekhandaran keeps all records. He records the attendance of the farmers during Desawar. Absentees will be fined. He is accountable to the farmers assembly.
- Budhiya. Previously the Budhiya collected fines and took care of unspend funds. Today this function is done by the Chaudhary or Lekhandaran, using an account in the local bank.
- The Desawar is the general assembly of all the farmers. But it also refers to the occasions when all farmers are mobilized for maintenance or repair work and to the farmer community as such. The Desawar elect the organisations leaders and will help in decision-making during times of crisis. When fines imposed can not be collected, the Desawar will go to the village of the defaulters and force them to pay. Physical assaults and damage of property can happen at such occasions.
MAINTENANCE: When the Desawar is mobilized, the farmers will come to the work site and stay for five days. Each village must bring a certain amount of food, camping gear and tools. Bringing umbrellas is not allowed, since it is impossible to work while holding an umbrella. The Nandarwa will call out the name of a village and the Lekhandaran will call out the amount of work to be done. As soon as work is assigned, people will start digging the canal. The work must be completed within a fixed amount of time. If the assigned number of workers from a village does not show up, the village will be fined. |
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(c) Resource Allocation |
| Not reported. |
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Conflict Resolution Mechanism |
| Not reported. |
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Problems Faced by Institution |
| Not reported. |
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Changes in the Institution over time |
| Not reported. |
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Other Features of Institution |
| In 1987 the Desawar was mobilized for river diversion. The entire job took 22 days of Desawar and 26 days of bulldozer work. The total number of people mobilized was 46.000. 30.000 cubic meters of earthwork was excavated. All in all 60.000 labour days can be mobilized for desiltig the main canal and repairing the intake and diversion weir in the Tinau River. |
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Purpose |
| Irrigation Management |
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Country |
| Nepal |
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Region |
| Kailali district |
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Date Of Publication |
| TroB 030496 |
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