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Participation in Irrigation Projects :Changing Patterns in Northwestern India - Community Irrigation System (Kuhl) |
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Water Management | :
CPRI Institutions |
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Reference
Shingi,Prakash M; Bluhm,Louis H :"Participation in Irrigation Projects :Changing Patterns in Northwestern India " Centre for Management in Agriculture, Ahmedabad
Introduction of the Institution
This is a century old community irrigation system (Kuhl) managed and operated by Kohli(water tender) on behalf of the water users.The Kohli's post is heriditary.For rendering services he is paid in kind.At the harvest he is given equal amount of grain to the weight of the seed sown.He is incharge of rebuilding the dams each spring and coordinates and administers the distribution of water as well as other social and political aspects of the system.
Rules for Management of the Institution
(a) Boundary Rules
Spatial:It is a small isolated village with 100 acres of agricultural land.About 47 acres belonging to 25 farmers are served by the irrigation system. Social : Not reported
(b) Governance Rules
The irrigation community is operated by a "Kohli" on behalf of the water users.The kohli's role is multifunctional.He is incharge of rebuilding the dams each spring and coordinates and administers the distribution of water as well as other social and political aspects of the system. Maintenance: The community irrigation system involves construction of temporary headwall in the gorge to divert water through a canal to the fields. At the beginning of the season the work is started.Approx 144 man days of work are required.The length of the canal is about 3 km from the headwall to the first field .Waters flows continuously from one field to another since the fields are sloped and finally drains into the gorge downstream.If a person remains absent without valid reason during the construction of the headwall, he is denied water for the season as a punishment.During days of scarcity the Kohli decides on the quantity of water to be allocated to each irrigator.This is done on the basis of the size of The irrigation community is operated by a "Kohli" on behalf of the water users.The kohli's role is multifunctional.He is incharge of rebuilding the dams each spring and coordinates and administers the distribution of water as well as other social and political aspects of the system. Maintenance: The community irrigation system involves construction of temporary headwall in the gorge to divert water through a canal to the fields. At the beginning of the season the work is started.Approx 144 man days of work are required.The length of the canal is about 3 km from the headwall to the first field .Waters flows continuously from one field to another since the fields are sloped and finally drains into the gorge downstream.If a person remains absent without valid reason during the construction of the headwall, he is denied water for the season as a punishment.During days of scarcity the Kohli decides on the quantity of water to be allocated to each irrigator.This is done on the basis of the size of the landholding.The flow is controlled by the width of the opening at the outlet from one field to another.
(c) Resource Allocation
The length of the canal is about 3 km from the headwall to the first field .Waters flows continuously from one field to another since the fields are sloped and finally drains into the gorge downstream.During days of scarcity the Kohli decides on the quantity of water to be allocated to each irrigator.This is done on the basis of the size of the landholding.The flow is controlled by the width of the opening at the outlet from one field to another.
Conflict Resolution Mechanism
If there is any conflict regarding the the use of water during scarcity,then the Kohli looks into the matter with the help of the co-opted members,by making a decision on the spot.In case the Kohli himself is involved in the conflict then the matter is referred to the village Panchayat
Problems Faced by Institution
If the Government takes over the irrigation If the Government takes over the irrigation system, then they would have to pay the water charges, and according to the Kohli it is not justified.
Changes in the Institution over time
Social: Older farmers have handed over their land to younger generation.These new farmers place a low value on labor and are willing to pay the fine in lieu of their work they are supposed to do for the community.They are less dependent on the Kohli and consequently less vulnerable to reciprocity and social control.A committee of 4 nominated members and the Kohli was set up in recent years.A fine of Rs 8 per day was fixed for a person, not participating in the construction work.Now a fixed amount of Rs 15 per acre is collected from each individual irrigator and any person willing to work ,is paid daily wages out of the fixed contribution at the rate of Rs 5.
Country
India (Gujarat)
Region
Vill: Mumta
Date Of Publication
RS-14/03/96
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Emmly
Sun, 11 Sep 2011 @23:05:34
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Going to put this atrcile to good use now. |
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