Participatory Governance Practices in Irrigation Management At Shardikhola Puranchaur Irrigation System, Puranchaur VDC Kaski District

Abstract

This study was carried out in the Shardikhola Puranchaur Irrigation Project area Puranchaur VDC of Kaski District to assess the participatory governance practice in User Committee in the perspective of common property. In the research both primary and secondary data were collected as required by the objective of the study. The field data were collected using 25% random sample with questionnaire and focus group discussion was conducted to collect the primary data and secondary data were collected from relevant literatures, previous study reports and project records. The study is carried out in the base of theory of Garrett Hardins “Tragedy of Commoms” There is water scarcity during the period of seed sowing, paddy sowing and irrigation but people are using water in rotation basis due to the limited resource. Some farmer wants more water from canal but they are binding in rule and regulations and Chitaidar regularly monitor the irrigated water. The theory “Tragedy of Commons” argues that people want more water and they always want to break the rule for irrigation water. But in this Irrigation Project the theory “Tragedy of Commons” is not applicable because if the common property is utilized properly by individuals, project is well maintained. The people involvement is vital in maintaining the order.

There is also exception that Chairperson of this project is continuing till the project start which may have some positive and negative attribute but people have rights to change their leadership in general assembly, but people are satisfied and continuing their leadership. There is good operation and Maintenance fund collection system in justifiable manner in the ropani basis. Now there is Nrs. 200.00 per ropani collection system as operation and Maintenance fund. This fund is utilized for the payment to wages for Chitaidar and minor repair and maintenance of canal. There is Nrs. 5,00,000.00 (five lakh rupees) in the fixed deposit in Janahit Cooperatives and more than one lakh in the saving account. There is a commercial vegetable farm established after completion of the project. There is more than 12 farmers, who profit more than Nrs. 3,00,000.00 (Three Lakh Rupees), which shows the successful impact of the project. Lastly, the project is very successful project of the NISP supported hill irrigation project. This canal served many people has brought drastic change in the economic condition of people. The cropping pattern in the field is totally changed. Farmers have started vegetable farming commercially and changed millet to paddy and potato. It changed farmers’ life economically and socially.

The Irrigation system is properly maintained and community people are very pleased to its donor agencies. Irrigation Water User Committee is registered and regularly renewed, General Assemble and meeting were held as per constitutions of Water User Committee. People now started to have commercial vegetable and visible change in socio-economic conditions of community people. So it can be said that Irrigation system is successful projects amongst the hill irrigation projects and it is due to effective participatory governance practices.