Abstract
CHIRANJIBI RIJAL1, GANESH
DHAKAL2, HOM NATH GARTAULA3 AND DEEPAK LOCHAN ADHIKARI4
Nepal is rich in water resources; however, these resources are
not properly utilized for economic benefit of the people. Due to unequal
distribution of precipitation, the monsoon summer season makes the country
flooded, while the dry winter season becomes extremely drier. The poor
management of the formal as well as informal water governing institutions is
not able to ensure an efficient and equitable distribution of water throughout
the year. With the help of a case from Gulmi district, this paper illustrates
how an effectively managed community-based water management system can ensure
an equitable and year round supply of water for its users. The research aims to
assess the impact of water harvesting in agriculture production and analyse the
management strategies adopted by community members for equitable distribution
of water throughout the year. The water scarcity problem in the research area
(Gaudakot Village Development Committee) is one of the common problems that the
country’s hill region is facing. For example, the drinking water is supplied
through a 16 kilometres long pipeline with scattered distribution outlets and
regulated timetable due to limited availability of water at the source
especially in the dry season, leave away the water for irrigation. In order to
cope with this situation, some ten years ago, a few community members started
collecting rainwater and made it available for household use during dry season.
Even though, this was a good solution, the rainwater storage tanks made at
household level were smaller and collected water was not sufficient for
irrigation purpose. The community members devised an idea of forming an
Agriculture cooperative and then formed water user subcommittee. The cooperative
harvests rain water as well as lifts water by pumping from downstream and stores
in a large reservoir with capacity of 600 thousand litres to secure year round
water supply. The harvested water is distributed among the interested community
members through distribution tank via separate pipeline|. From the beginning,
they ensured the representation of women and disadvantaged people in the
committee inclusive participation of class, caste and gender. Besides distribution
of the the harvested water, the cooperative also provides loan to its members
and assists in marketing of their agriculture products. With the increased
access of micro credit and availability of water resource, the community
members are able to grow commercial vegetables and adopt micro enterprise to
secure the livelihood. The direct and visible impacts observed are increased
income through production and sales of commercial vegetables, reduced male
out-migration; increased access to capital; and enhanced food security. Through this paper we invite the policy
makers and researchers to take this case as a successful intervention for
sustainable livelihood development in mountain region of Nepal.
Keywords: Cooperative, water
harvesting, Community management, Inclusive participation, Food security
1 Ministry of Agricultural Development, Agriculture Management
Information System, Kathmandu
2 Good Neighbour International Nepal, Jawalakhel,
Lalipur, Nepal
3 IDRC/DFATD Sustainable Agriculture Project,
International Development Studies Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg,
Manitoba, Canada
4 Water Resources and Climate Change Adaptation
Department, Development Inn Pvt. Ltd, Nepal
