PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT IN HILLY REGIONS OF NEPAL

Abstract

The Participatory Irrigation Management also known as the Irrigation Management Transfer is popular and proclaimed as successful throughout most of the countries. Nepal embraced the IMT programs in the 1990’s along with most of the developing countries. In hilly regions of Nepal where small FMIS were already in existence traditionally, the approach of PIM was implemented for the purpose of modernizing the system. The main purpose of the study was to observe the PIM interventions in Hill Irrigation system and analyse its socio-political impacts. The dissertation report also investigates the institutional development of WUA and its ability to manage the system. Though the main goal of PIM approach is to get full participation and empowerment of farmers but it is not being attained as per expected in many of the cases. Two case studies of similar type projects under considered for impact analysis of PIM depicted major differences. Though both the projects adopted PIM approach, the first project had a positive impact but in the later one, the farmers showed comparative negative responses. This concludes the only adoption of good approach does not guarantee the successful results. The basis of PIM model is the active and wider participation in all stages and levels. Such participation exists if only the socio-political environment favours. But still in the name of PIM model, manipulative participation is being utilised and the project gets implemented in a conventional way. Then there arises non-inclusiveness, non-transparent and bad governance in WUA. Finally, the farmer’s response turns negative hindering the smooth running of the system and the sustainability issue becomes questionable. Merely construction of the canal and adequate water availability in the command area does not mean the system is successful. The major issue is its long-term effective water management. Similarly, resource generation and mobilization is the major aspect of the sustainability issue. Smooth management is possible if and only if all the farmers bear the ownership feeling. Also, it is to be noticed that PIM factors are not independent rather they bear strong inter-linkage within themselves. Thus, a certain factor turning negative not only impacts itself but affects the whole model and finally, the effective management and sustainability issue get threatened. Thus, good governance, democratic election, transparency, regular meetings along with two-way interactions and social inclusiveness are the major features needed within WUA for promoting participation and reaching goal towards farmers’ empowerment.