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| Tanks and Canal Irrigation in Chittoor and Cuddapah districts of Andhra Pradesh |
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Reference |
| Reddy, Subba C: Tanks and Canal Irrigation, Case study discussed in CPR Summer School, 1998 |
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Introduction to the Institution |
| Tanks and small rivers are the important sources of irrigation in Chittoor and Cuddapah districts of Andhra Pradesh.The tanks are canals were constructed several hundred years back in these regions. In case of tanks one can find a network of channels connecting a series of tanks. Embankments are erected in order to divert water from the rivers/ streams to the canals and through the canals water is given away to smaller field canals which originate from intermediary canals or directly from the main canal.Each village owns tanks and canals and its feeder channels which forms the common property resource of the village. Tanks and canals are managed by the ayacutdars or irrigators with or without a specialised body. The irrigators face three problems of 1. Siltation 2. Inundation of the foreshore area and 3. Prevention of discharge of water to tanks located downstream by upstream farmers. Given these constraints, the ayacutdars belonging to different villages have deviced some norms :
a) Equitable share of water b) Establishment of landmarks in the tank catchment and lifting of gates when water touches a specified landmark.c) Institution of trusteeship or leasing out of temple lands or tank lands which were meant for undertaking periodic repair on the tankbund and desilting of tank beds and feeder channels. |
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Rules for Management
of the Institution |
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(a) Boundary Rules |
| Not clear in the text, may be residents of the village |
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(b) Governance
rules |
| Local irrigation organisation has two levels: Supervisory and functionary levels controlled by a decision making body or leaders (Neetipanchayati, Kaluesapeddathanamu, Amuji and Neerukattithanamu). Decisions regarding operation of the conveyance system, rotation etc are undertaken by the organisation and are culturally embedded. |
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(c) Resource Allocation |
| Given the available quantity of water in the tank, the ayacutdars share water in proportion to one's requirement by means of several institutional mechanisms which exhibit not only variation but also degree of activation. Madava, theerava, thadi are the different techniques employed in distribution of water.
Cooperation is shown not only to share scarce water but also in organising and matching agricultural operations in such a way so that the irrigation turns can be either preponed or postponed. Even when water is available abundantly 'theerava' and 'madava' are to be carefully executed so that not only all the fields receive water but any kind of wastage is avoided.
The ayacut is divided into groups of zones locally known as patti, adapa, nattu, dompu etc, where each of the zone comprises individual holdings with a right to receive water. The ayacutdars usually have such individual holdings situated in a single zone. thogh exceptions do occur. As a majority of farmers possess their parcel of lands situated in single zone, competing claims for water exist between farmers of different zones within the ayacut. |
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Conflict Resolution Mechanism |
| Competition for water is high when a large number of ayacutdars have cultivated their fields. Demand for water is when water is plentyand less when water is scarce at the beginning of agricultural season. Competing claims and conflicts crop up as the water in the tank is gradually depleted either due to use/overuse or percolation/evaporation/demolition of control structure etc
These problems are mitigated by the following rules:
1.Schedule for impounding water
2.Rotation schedule for the sluices, canals, adapas.
3. Rules of turns of water supply to the individual fields
4. Rules of exclusion in case of scarcity
5. Rules of canal maintenance/labour contribution
6. Rules of maintenance of diversion structure
7. Sanctions, reprimands, penalties for violation of rules
8. Rules regarding organisation of labour, periodic tasks and routine maintenance, supervisory activities |
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Problems Faced by Institution |
| Not reported |
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Purpose |
| Water management through canals and tank |
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Country |
| India (Andhra Pradesh) |
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Region |
| Chittoor and Cuddapah |
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Date Of Publication |
| RS- 23\06\98 |
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