(TA 7984-NEP: MAINSTREAMING CLIMATE CHANGE RISK MANAGEMENT IN DEVELOPMENT 1 Main Consultancy Package (44768-012))

(Department of Irrigation (DoI))

(Institutional Analysis)

MoSTE | Mainstreaming Climate Change Risk Management in Development

Department of Irrigation: Institutional Analysis

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(Citation:MoSTE. 2014. Institutional Analysis: Department of Irrigation. Prepared by the International Centre for Environmental Management (ICEM) for the Nepal Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MoSTE) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), as part of the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience - PPCR3, Mainstreaming Climate Change in Development. Kathmandu, Nepal.)

Table of ContentsBACKGROUND41Introduction92Objective93Review of Irrigation related Legislation / policies9a.Water Resources Act (1992) and Water Resources Regulation (1993)9b.Irrigation Policy 20039c.Irrigation Regulation 2000 (First amendment 2004)104Strategies and plans10a.Irrigation Master Plan, 199010b.Agriculture Perspective Plan 199511c.Water Resources Strategy 2002 and National Water Plan 2005115Design standards and guidelines126Organizational structur (organogram)147Brief History OF OPERATIONAL Programs and Activities of Irrigation158Staffing179SWOT analysis1810Climate Change impact in Irrigation1811How can Climate Change Mainstreaming be Improved?19a.Mitigation19b.Adaptation1912Review the impact of past extreme event2013Six Case STUDY DISTRICT Profile20BIBLIOGRAPHY23

BACKGROUND

This report was developed as part of the TA – 7984 NEP: Mainstreaming Climate Change Risk Management in Development Project supported by ADB with funding from the Climate Investment Fund (CIF), and implemented by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MOSTE) in partnership with ICEM – International Centre for Environmental Management.

The project involves line departments working together with MOSTE in eight districts to develop and test a vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning approach tailored for their needs. The aim is to distil the lessons of the district experience into reforms at national level for planning and managing more resilient infrastructure. The national agencies are those concerned with infrastructure development throughout Nepal such as irrigation, roads and bridges, water induced disasters, urban planning and water supply and sanitation systems (Figure 1).

Figure 1: TA – 7984 NEP infrastructure sector department partners

A core group of technical staff from each of the departments participated in working sessions and missions to the eight districts of Kathmandu, Dolakha, Achham, Banke, Myagdi, Chitwan, Panchthar and Mustang (Figure 2) where vulnerability assessments and adaptation planning exercises were conducted for existing strategic infrastructure assets. The target districts were identified by core group members to reflect the diverse ecological zones of the country and varying environmental and social conditions in which infrastructure is built. The district experience and sector analysis is documented in district reports, sector synthesis reports and linked guides for use on a systematic basis in each department.

The core group comprised of some 30 members from 9 government agencies with each agency having a wider range of staff involved in the process of setting and implementing reform priorities with support from the project team (Figure 3).

Figure 2: Target districts for developing an approach to infrastructure vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning

Sector focal points on the core group have a key role in promoting the climate change mainstreaming in their departments so that the design and management of existing and planned infrastructure progressively adjusts to become more resilient to the most significant projected changes and their associated potential impacts.

Figure 3: Infrastructure sector department climate change core group

INTRODUCTION TO THIS REPORT

At an early stage in the project an institutional analyses was conducted for each of the partner agencies. Those analyses were part of the baseline assessment in understanding the vulnerabilities of the infrastructure agencies. They were intended to answer the following questions for each sector:

(i) What is the organizations mandate and functions

(ii) What are the main gaps and challenges facing the sector in addressing climate change?

(iii) To what extent has climate change already been mainstreamed?

(iv) Does the sector have the data and tools to mainstream climate change

(v) How can climate change mainstreaming be improved?

Each analysis involved documenting the legislation and policies, and strategies and plans governing the agency. The organizational structure and staffing were reviewed for gaps and opportunities in the capacities for addressing climate change. The operational tools and procedures, such as EIA and spatial planning, were also assessed for their potential to facilitate adaptation in the sector. More detailed review of the sectors infrastructure covered the main categories and priorities, overall inventory, design standards and guidelines and geographic spread. An important focus of the institutional analyses was the agency’s experience with past extreme climatic conditions and events such as floods and landslides – with the aim of gathering information on infrastructure categories that have been most affected and on the hot spot localities. Finally, how has the sector responded to those extremes? Documenting past adaptation provides a foundation for future action building on the best practices and arrangements already in place.

This Institutional Analysis Report on the Department of Irrigation(DOI) provides a profile of the department, its strengths and weaknesses in responding to its mandates and carrying out its duties. This Report was prepared on the basis of information collected by the TA team through a series of interviews and consultations with the relevant officials of the department and through relevant documents received during that period. This report is in its present shape after going through several reviews and adjustments by concerned DOI officials.

Related Technical Reports in the Series: Irrigation sector

Sector Reports

Report Name

Institutional Analysis

Department of Irrigation (DoI)

International Experience Paper

Irrigation

Climate Change Threats

Modelling results for the Infrastructure Sectors in Nepal

Synthesis Report

Irrigation

District Reports

Report Name

District Case Study Reports including:

· Baseline

· Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment

· Adaptation Planning Report

· Kathmandu

· Dolakha

· Panchthar

· Chitwan

· Banke

· Mustang

District Climate Change Profiles

· Kathmandu

· Dolakha

· Panchthar

· Chitwan

· Myagdi

· Banke

· Achham

· Mustang

Guidance Reports

Report Name

MoSTE Guide

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Planning Methodology for Infrastructure Development in Nepal

Climate Change Risk Management Framework for Infrastructure Sectors in Nepal

A Guide for developing and implementing Sector Adaptation Plans for Action - SAPAs

Introduction

This study is particularly attempting to assess the impact of climate change in Irrigation Sector. Irrigation is one of the major components required for increasing agricultural productivity. In Nepal, Department of Irrigation (DoI) is a government organization under Ministry of Irrigation, with a mandate to plan, develop, maintain, operate, manage and monitor different modes of environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable irrigation and drainage systems from small to larger scale surface systems and from individual to community groundwater schemes. The ultimate aim is to provide year round irrigation facilities and increase the irrigable area of the country to higher limits. Irrigation is an important input in increasing the productivity of the land and contributing to national GDP and eventually improve the standard of living of the beneficiary farmers. DoI also has to carry out river training activities to protect the floodways, floodplains and agricultural lands in the form of river bank protection such that the loss of properties caused by flooding is reduced. Hence this study focuses on the activities of DoI that are related to climate change.

Objective

Climate change is the buzzword nowadays and it has been making impact in the livelihood of the people particularly the developing country like Nepal. The increasing trend of temperature due to climate change has already made its presence on irrigation sector by erratic rainfall, cloud outburst and flash flood. The objective of this study is to assess climate change impact in irrigation sector in Nepal.

Review of Irrigation related Legislation / policies a. Water Resources Act (1992) and Water Resources Regulation (1993)

This is the basic legislation for regulating the exploitation, utilization, and management of water resources in the country. It has established the order of priority in water use. Irrigation is in second priority after drinking water and domestic use.

b. Irrigation Policy 2003

Adaptation of the Water Resources Strategy (WRS) by the Government of Nepal (GoN) in 2002, launching of 10th five year plan in 2002, and reaching the completion stages of many important irrigation developments like Nepal Irrigation Sector Project (NISP), Second Irrigation Sector Project (SISP), Irrigation Development Plan (IDP) and Irrigation Management Transfer Projects (IMTP) necessitated promulgation of new Irrigation Policy 2003. It has three prime objectives as follows;

· To provide round the year irrigation facility to the irrigation suitable land by effective utilization of the current water resources of the country.

· To develop institutional capability of Water Users for sustainable management of existing systems.

· To enhance the knowledge, skill and institutional capability of technical human resources, water users and non-governmental association/organization related to development of irrigation sector.

Apart from its prime objectives, it has also set the objective of increasing agricultural production and reduction of poverty through creation of rural employment opportunities. It has given the stress on promoting the conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water irrigation system along with the initiation of new and non-conventional irrigation systems such as rain water harvesting, pond, sprinkler, drip, paddle pump and other irrigation system.

It has also envisaged for storage type irrigation system from run-off the river system. However, this has never been materialized. Similarly, it says that GoN will declare the irrigated area and in such area provision will be made for permission of GoN, if needed, outside use of agriculture.

c. Irrigation Regulation 2000 (First amendment 2004)

There are altogether seven chapters in it. However, chapter 3 has been removed in 2004 amendment. Chapter two and five are mainly concerned with Water User Associations (WUAs), which address provisions related to system transfer and WUA's duty and service charge. This regulation is made to support irrigation policy.

Strategies and plans a. Irrigation Master Plan, 1990

It has been prepared for the Department of Irrigation (DoI), financed by the United Nations Development program (UNDP) and World Bank executed Planning and Design Strengthening Project (PDSP). The concept that a master plan should be prepared for the irrigation subsector originated from irrigation planning carried out in the early 1980’s within the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS). This work recognized the need for a broad-based study to assemble available land and water resources information, assess alternate development concepts, and recommend a long term development program for the irrigation subsector. It has three principal objectives as follows;

· To provide long term strategy for the development of irrigation subsector that is consistent with the development policies of the government;

· To develop shorter term investment program that are consistent with long term strategy;

· To provide a sound data base and planning methodology to facilitate the regular update of master plan.

With regard to agricultural production, it has mentioned six important constraints to the achievement of higher level of productivity as following:

· Lack of availability of purchased inputs, especially in remote areas;

· Inadequate availability of agricultural credit from formal institutions, especially in remote areas;

· Lack of inadequate agricultural extension services;

· A land tenure situation that discourages the use of improved agricultural technology in some areas;

· Lack of financial incentives to many farmers, as a result of poorly developed market conditions and/ Lack of physical access;

· Inadequate Irrigation Management;

These problems are still pertinent in agricultural sector which is mentioned in the agricultural sector of three years interim plan.

b. Agriculture Perspective Plan 1995

Soon after the restoration of democracy in 1990 and the taking of office by democratic government in 1991, attention turned to the need for far-reaching measures of reform that would immediately a broadly based and participatory process of development. With the help of Asian Development Bank (ADB), Agricultural Projects Services Centre (APROSC), in collaboration with John Mellor Associates. Inc., of the United States, Agriculture Perspective Plan (APP) was formulated. Various public sector agencies, private sector and international donor and cooperating agencies were involved in the preparation, drafting and finalization of APP in May 1994. The APP objectives are based on the lessons of several decades of slow and narrowly based growth in Nepal and the fast growth of most other Asian countries.

APP has been designed in such a way that more than half of the public investment in APP’s priority inputs would go to irrigation. The investment has concentrated on the means of increasing water control and providing year-round coverage. The terai is amply endowed with accessible groundwater supplies, and the hills and mountains have enough water resources to accommodate the APP’s growth rate for high value-commodities. It made the goal to increase the groundwater coverage from 107,000 ha in 1996/97 to 612,000 ha by the end of APP in 2016/17.

After implementation in 1997 the APP called for an average of 24,000 ha per year to be added to the groundwater irrigated area to meet its target within 20 years. It was planned in such a way that 22,000 of those ha would be turned over to STWs and 2000 ha to DTWs, that translate to 8800 STWs and 40 DTWs respectively.

c. Water Resources Strategy 2002 and National Water Plan 2005

In Nepal, the freshwater system is undergoing continuous natural changes in terms of quality, quantity and morphology. These changes are further accelerated due to increasing human exploitation of water resources caused by increasing population pressure demanding more water for different purpose such as irrigation, drinking water, hydropower and others. Growing concern for environmental degradation has further increased pressure on water resources. To cope up with such phenomenon and to manage country’s water in a holistic manner, Nepal brought out its WRS in 2002.

With regard to WRS, this paper is focused in irrigation and its related issues only. WRS has clearly admitted that in general, irrigation activities undertaken in Nepal to date have not been very successful. It further states that many projects have not reached their planned levels of productivity and many are not financially or technically sustainable in their present form. Besides, it mentions the declining trend in the attractiveness of agriculture by the increasing number of people migrating to cities or abroad in search for jobs. This is due to very low market price for rice. It accepts that the fundamental basis of the APP and its strategy for irrigation may need to be revised (i.e., subsidy for tube-wells). It also emphasizes to build multipurpose storage projects that are economically viable.

NWP target in irrigation sector given in percentage

In order to achieve sustainable efficient irrigation system, it lays down short-, medium-, and long-term action plans for the water resources sector. In order to implement the activities identified by the WRS, WECS started formulating National Water Plan (NWP) which was approved by GoN in September 2005.

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has been adopted as one of the principal themes of NWP. IWRM principles profess that water must be viewed from the holistic perspective, both in its natural state and in balancing the competing demands on it, e.g. domestic, agriculture, hydropower, industrial, cultural and environmental.

Design standards and guidelines

In 1990, Government of Nepal with the support from United Nations Development Programs and World Bank published 13 series of Technical Manuals and 8 sets of supporting guidelines documents under Planning and Design Strengthening Project (PDSP) manuals. The list of the manuals is as follows;

M.1General System Planning;

M.2Survey and Mapping;

M.3Hydrology and Agrometeorology;

M.4Soils and Land Use;

M.5Sociology and Farmer Participation;

M.6Groundwater Irrigation;

M.7Headworks, River Training Works and Sedimentation;

M.8Distribution Systems, Canals and Canal Structures;

M.9Drainage;

M.10Engineering Cost Estimating and Economics;

M.11Infrastructure Planning;

M.12Tender Documents and Construction;

M.13Operation, Maintenance and Management;

These manuals are supported by a set of guidelines and other documents. These are;

G.1Upgrading of Farmer Built and Operated Systems;

G.2Shallow Tubewell Development;

G.3Small/Medium Scale Project Development;

G.4Rehabilitation of Government Schemes;

D.1Interim Field Design Manual (Superseded by D.2);

D.2Field Design Manual;

D.3Standard Structures Designs;

D.4Simulation Model Manual;

Apart from these documents, DoI later published "Guidelines For Irrigation Systems Design in Hills and Valleys in 2006" which is quite useful for engineers working in the field.

Organizational structur (organogram)

(Ministry of IrrigationGovt. of Nepal)

The chief of DoI is Director General who is supervised by Secretary of Ministry of Irrigation. There are four divisions under Director General headed by Deputy Director Generals. Apart from this, there are administration section, financial administration section and legal section in the central office. DoI has its network throughout the country. It has five regional offices in each region having mandate to oversee the division and sub-division offices in the respective region. There are total 26 division offices and 20 subdivision offices in five regions. Similarly there are eight irrigation management offices in five regions. Besides, there are three mechanical divisions as shown in chart. The central level projects are directly supervised by the DoI central office.

EIA and spatial planning

Environmental Protection Act and Rules

Nepal Government has enacted the Environment Protection Act, 2053 (1997) (EPA) and the Environment Protection Rules, 2054 (1998) (EPR). The EPA requires that an Environmental Assessment either in the form of an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) or an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) shall be carried out for all proposed projects which meet the criteria listed in Schedules 1 and 2 in the EPR.

EIA and IEE criteria for Irrigation project as per EPA and EPR

(Method of EA)New Irrigation Project

(Region)

EIA

IEE

Hill slope and mountainous areas

>200 ha

(25-200) ha

Hill valley and tars

>500 ha

(25-500)ha

Terai and Inner Terai

>2000ha

200-2000ha

Rehabilitation Irrigation Project

EIA

IEE

1. Any Water Resources activities which displace more than 100 inhabited people;

2. To develop multipurpose reservoir;

3. In case of inter-basin water transfer

1. New headworks construction or change of main canal;

2. Any Water Resources activities which displace 25- 100 inhabited people;

3. River training work >10km

Brief History OF OPERATIONAL Programs and Activities of Irrigation

Out of the total 14.718 million hectare area of the country, only 2.641 million hectare area is arable and 1.766 million hectare land is irrigable. 76% of potential irrigable area lies in the Terai region of Nepal.

The irrigation system in Nepal before 1922 were all developed, operated and maintained by farmers called Farmers Managed Irrigation System (FMIS). From 1922 to 1957, Government made little effort to develop irrigation infrastructures in Nepal. Chandra Nahar, Juddha Nahar, Jagadispur Jalasraya (Banganga), Phewa Bhadh are few examples of the projects developed during that period. However, irrigation infrastructure development has got high priority since 1957, the milestone of the beginning of periodic plan in Nepal.

The minor irrigation program was introduced in the second three-year development plan (1962-65) to provide low-cost-irrigation facilities to farmers within a short period of time. The program included the construction of small wells, irrigation tanks, reservoirs, pumps (lift) and other low cost irrigation facilities. Although it was planned to provide irrigation facilities to 4,455 hectares by the end of the Plan period. Under this program, the actual achievement was insignificant.

The Third Plan Period (1966-70) saw the countrywide implementation of the minor irrigation program with the emphasis on the participation of the beneficiaries.

The government investment in irrigation development - especially in the large-scale irrigation systems in the Tarai increased tremendously from 1970 onwards. This was due to the increase in the borrowing of international capital in the form of loans and grants for the country's overall economic development. This is clearly reflected in the surge of irrigation development targets in the subsequent five-year development plans- from the Fourth Plan (1970-75) onwards.

Until the middle of 1980s, irrigation development by the government focused largely on the construction of physical infrastructures, and very little attention was given to the effective management of the completed systems. Attention began to be paid to the improved management of government-operated irrigation systems from 1985 onwards. This is reflected in the implementation of a number of management-oriented projects in 1985-89: the USAID-funded Irrigation Management Project (IMP) in 1985, the Irrigation Line of Credit (ILC) in 1988 financed by the World Bank, the irrigation Sector Project (ISP) in 1988 financed by the ADB, and the Irrigation Sector Support Project (ISSP) in 1989 under the co-financing of the UNDP, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). All these projects have specifically emphasized the participatory approach to irrigation development and management of irrigation facilities. Further, following the introduction of the Basic Needs Program (BNP) in 1987, the working Policy on Irrigation Development for the fulfillment of Basic Needs' was formulated in the early 1989.

This was immediately followed by the promulgation of the Irrigation Regulations (IR) in April 1989. These Regulations placed emphasis on the greater collaboration with water users in all phases of irrigation projects - planning, construction, operation and maintenance. The strategy of increasing farmer participation was mainly based on the recognition that government resources alone were inadequate to meet the country's irrigation development objectives and sustain the management of government irrigation systems after their completion. The government expected to increase the rate of irrigation development and develop maximum farmers'/water users' responsibility in the operation and maintenance of completed irrigation systems. The Irrigation Regulations gave water users, for the first time, a legal mandate to form water users' associations in accordance with the 1976 Association Registration Act. It institutionalized the participation of actual water users in irrigation. In 1989, the action plans and policies for the turnover of small irrigation systems and the participatory management of large irrigation systems were formulated.

This was followed by the promulgation of Water Resources Act and Irrigation Policy in 1992 with the clear vision of irrigation development. Later this policy was amended in 1997 and now Irrigation Policy 2004 is in practice. Similarly Irrigation Master Plan 1990, Agriculture Perspective Plan 1995, Water Resources Strategy 2002 and National Water Plan 2005 are other few documents which guide irrigation development in Nepal.

At present, DoI is involved in the development of many irrigation projects. Sikta, Ranijamara Kulariya, Mahakali III, Babai, IWRMP, CMIASP and MIP are few examples of major activities in the implementation.

DoI is equally responsible for development of new irrigation projects and O&M of developed schemes. For the last couple of years, DoI has been working with marginalized farmers in remote areas under the program of Non Conventional Irrigation Technology Project (NITP). Similarly, it has given high priority to IWRM principles while planning and developing new projects. Having realized the importance of year round irrigation, it is underway to start multipurpose inter basin water transfer project, diverting water from water surplus river to water deficit river and Bheri Babai diversion project is the first one to be implemented.

In the course of development, DoI has arrived at the stage of inter basin water transfer and which is the new milestone of its achievement. However, this will not be the full stop and it keeps on moving with the aim of expanding irrigation area and improving irrigation efficiency for the food security of the nation.

Staffing

DoI is the institution which has the experts from multidisciplinary fields. Out of 1869 staff working in DoI, 451 are gazetted. The table below explains the numbers and field of the DoI personnel.

Personnel numbers and discipline

Service, Group, Sub-group

Gazetted 1st

Gazetted 2nd

Gazetted 3rd

Non Gazetted (Technical)

Non Gazetted others

Helping Staff

Total

Director General (No group)

1

1

Engineering civil, irrigation

9

66

217

488

781

Engineering, agri, irrigation

2

13

31

79

125

Agri, economic and marketing

8

8

Engineering hydrogeology

2

13

20

20

55

Engineering, Mechanical

4

11

31

57

103

Engineering Chemistry

1

3

3

7

Engineering Geology

3

3

Engineering general electrical

1

2

3

Engg. Civil, building and arch.

18

2

20

Engg. Electrical and Telecom

1

1

Engg. General mechanical

91

91

Financial, planning and statistics

1

1

2

Administration, general administration

1

8

134

393

536

Administration/Account

1

22

73

3

99

Miscellaneous

8

17

25

Education, library science

1

6

7

Justice, law

1

1

2

Total

14

101

335

793

141

484

1869

Source: Sinchai Barsik Pustika 066-67

SWOT analysis

Strengths

· Well qualified and competent manpower

· Widespread organizational setup in irrigation

· Extensive irrigation infrastructures exist in 1.2 million ha

· Policy and legal framework in place;

· Design guidelines and other relevant document in existence

· Knowledge and experience in development of irrigation system exist

· Multidisciplinary in house professionals;

· Richness in natural resources (Water Resources and fertile land)

· Diverse climatic conditions

Weaknesses

· Poor accountability of concerned authorities

· Lack of motivation

· Responsibilities are not clearly delineated

· Lack of proper mechanism for M&E

Opportunities

· Government's commitment to irrigation development

· Increased accessibility to the remote areas

· Marketing access for cash crop increased

· Enhanced WUA's capability

· Existence of NFIWUAN, NGOs, INGOs, CBOs etc. for collaboration

· Improving coordination among government line agencies

· Availability of different irrigation technological options

Threats

· Non availability of Funds (Financial Resources)

· Rehabilitation schemes drawing more resources

· Increased demand on resources on maintenance

· Cost of production is high, difficult to compete with Indian market

· Political instability

· Political intervention in the selection of projects and placement of personnel

· Lack of fund to develop year round irrigation

· Riparian issues

Climate Change impact in Irrigation

The most critical impacts of climate change in Nepal can be expected to be on its water and agriculture sector. Irrigation infrastructures and facilities are at risk from increased flooding, landslides, sedimentation and more intense precipitation events (particularly during the monsoon) caused by climate change. Greater unreliability of dry season flows, in particular, poses potentially serious risks to water diversion in irrigation systems during lean season. Therefore, increased climate variability, which can affect frequency and intensity of flooding and droughts, could severely affect irrigation sector and eventually decreasing the productivity of agriculture sector.

A typical example of unpredictability effect of climate change is the Bagmati Disaster of 1993 when its catchment area around Kulekhani, Tistung area experienced heavy thunderstorm and cloudburst causing huge high floods downstream. The brief salient feature follows:

· Heavy thunderstorm and cloudburst reported in Tistung area of Kulekhani watershed

· The abnormally high intensity of rainfall of 65 mm in just 1 hour and cumulative as high as 540 mm in 24 hours was experienced in Tistung, the watershed area.

· It carried the highest of the 100 yr return period flood with a magnitude of 16,000 m3/ s

· In total 1,336 people died and properties worth NRs 4,904 million were lost.

· It damaged standing crop of 37,000 ha.

How can Climate Change Mainstreaming be Improved?

Tackling the climate change is a tricky and difficult question to answer. It may be impossible to check the overall trend of climate change as this is the global phenomenon caused by the natural dynamic cycle. However, there are ways to reduce the adverse impact and there are ways to adapt with the change. Therefore, there are two ways of dealing with the climate change: Mitigation and Adaptation.

a. Mitigation

Improved crop and grazing land management to increase soil carbon storage; restoration of cultivated peaty soils and degraded lands; improved rice cultivation techniques and livestock and manure management to reduce CH4 emissions; improved nitrogen fertilizer application techniques to reduce N2O emissions; dedicated energy crops to replace fossil fuel use; improved energy efficiency; improvements of crop yields.

b. Adaptation

Few examples of adaptation with regard to irrigation are expansion of rainwater harvesting; water storage and conservation techniques; water reuse; desalination; water-use and irrigation efficiency. Similarly, adjustment of planting dates and crop variety; crop relocation; improved land management, e.g. erosion control and soil protection through tree planting are other means of adaptation.

Review the impact of past extreme event

Event/date

Location

Bio physical description of the event

Infrastructure affected

Impact

Adaptive Resoponse

Flash flood in Bagmati in 1993.

Lower reach of Bagmati river from the headworks of Bagmati Irrigation Project, Karmaiya, Sarlahi.

The catchment area of Bagmati river like Kulekhani and Tistung experienced heavy thunderstorm and cloudburst as 540mm downpour within 24 hour and caused heavy flood downstream.

The headworks of Bagmati Irrrigation Project, Eastern main canal and supporting structures, settlement in eastern side of the river.

Headworks destroyed and no irrigation water for long time similarly many human lives were lost including Chinese people and thousands of people were affected due to flood.

Not any significant work in adaptation however mitigation works were done later.

Six Case STUDY DISTRICT Profile

The following districts are selected for case study;

1. Mugu: Mugu district has irrigation unit office under Mid Western Irrigation Development Division no. 5 Jumla. This is one of the very remote districts of Nepal. So far no significant irrigation development has been done in this Himali district due to its geophysical character. The one third budget of Jumla division to carry out Medium Irrigation Project (MIP) for this fiscal year is NRs. 4.3 million.

2. Achham: Irrigation development in Achham district comes under the responsibility of Far Western Irrigation Development Dvision no. 2, Doti. Irrigation Lines Of Credit (ILC), Nepal Irrigation Sector Project (NISP) were the projects which were implemented by DoI in this district in the past and now Irrigation Water Resources Management Project (IWRMP) is on-going. However only NRs. 650 thousand was released in first quarter of this fiscal year for NITP projects.

3. Banke : It is one of the main districts in Mid Western Region having enough irrigable land in plain terai. Many medium irrigation schemes were developed in this district through ILC, NISP and IWRMP. However much of the area was barren. At present Sikta Irrigation Project, one of the biggest projects in DoI having command area 36000 ha is under construction to provide irrigation facility in Banke district. In the one third budget of this year, government has released NRs. 2.4 milliion for MIP, NRs 265 thousand for NITP and NRs. 2.16 million for IWRMP.

4. Chitwan: This district is one of the Potential districts in irrigation is really contributing in agricultural sector inthe country. East Rapti Irrigation Project, Khageri Irrigation Project, Panchakanya Irrigation Project, Narayani Lift Irrigation Project are a few irrigation projects where state has made massive expenditure. However due to rapid urbanization and lack of zoning of land has been affecting the agricultural land of this district. In the past many medium size irrigation projects have been constructed under the Irrigation Sector Project (ISP) and Second Irrigation Sector Project (SISP). Now Community Managed Irrigated Agriculture Sector Project (CMIASP) is developing few medium size irrigation projects. The one third budget for MIP for this division is NRs. 6.1 million and for NITP it is NRs. 720 thousand.

5. Kathmandu valley: Kathmandu valley was very fertile land for cultivation of crops in the past and many irrigation projects were also developed. Headworks near Gokarneswor Mahadev temple and Pashupati temple were the example of irrigation projects in the past. However due to rapid urbanization and water scarcity many irrigation projects are now dry and the cultivated land has also been diverted to other purposes than crop cultivation. Still some of the irrigation projects are running and CMIASP is also developing few irrigation projects in the countryside of the valley. The one third budget released for MIP is NRs. 3.7million and for NITP, it is NRs. 435 thousand.

6. Dolakha: The very famous hilly district for tourism. It is also very important district for agriculture where irrigation is playing a significant role to enhance the livelihood of farmers. Irrigation projects developed during ISP and SISP still supporting farmers to increase their crop production. Now CMIASP has taken up few medium irrigation schemes in which some are completed and other are under construction. The first one third budget released fis NRs 6.1 million for MIP and NRs. 2 million for NITP for this fiscal year.

(Map of Nepal)

Department of Irrigation has good access to all these districts having division and sub division offices. The budget for this fiscal year is so far not clear since one third of the budget is released for essential works. However once the full budget is approved it will be mentioned. In Dolakha, Kathmandu Valley and Chitwan, CMIASP supported by ADB and Medium Irrigation Project (MIP) supported by government of Nepal are under implementation. Similarly, in Mugu, Banke and Achham, IWRMP supported by the World Bank and MIP supported by government of Nepal are currently in progress. Besides, for marginal people Non Conventional Irrigation Technology Project (NITP) has been implemented throughout the nation. Districts are selected from three geographical regions encompassing Himal, Hill and Terai districts in order to understand the impact of climate change in each region. The pilot projects with regard to irrigation for this study will be selected after field visit and consultation with officials and water user's functionaries in respective districts to get information more precisely. Similarly, the irrigation district profile will be given in the next report.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

(1995). Agriculture Perspective Plan. Environmental Protection Rules, 1998GoN. (2005). National Water Plan. WECS.GoN. (2002). Water Resources Strategy Nepal. WECS.Irrigation Policy. (2003). GoN.Irrigation Regulation. (2000). GoN.(1990). Master Plan or Irrigation Development in Nepal, Cycle 2, Main Report. Khanal Ashish Bhadra, 2010,Retrospective of the Irrigation Related Policies in Nepal: Post-1990 Era. National Seminar Proceedings, Department of Irrigation, Kathmandu, NepalPlanning and Design Strengthening Project (PDSP) manuals, 1990Water Resources Act. (1992). GoN.Water Resources Regulation. 1993: GoN.www.doi.gov.npIrrigation Master Plan (1990): Department of Irrigation (DOI)Water Resources Strategy (2002): Water & Energy Commission Secretariats (WECS) National Water Plan (2005): Water & Energy Commission SecretariatsIntegrated Water Resources Management Policy (2010): Water & Energy Commission SecretariatsIrrigation Policy (2013): Department of IrrigationIrrigation Planning and Design (PDSP) Manuals (1990): Department of Irrigation (M-3, M-6, M-7, M-9, M-11, M-13 etcetera)Environ Protection Act (1994): MOSTEEnvironment Protection Regulations (1995): MOSTEProject Reports (19- Surface & Groundwater projects in all six districts)Annual Irrigation Budget Sheets (6-districts)

24

Core Group

MoSTENPD & NPMs

Counterpart and focal point of

DOLIDAR

Counterpart and focal point of

DOR

Counterpart and focal point of

DWSS

Counterpart and focal point of

DHM

Counterpart and focal point of

MoFALD

Counterpart and focal point of DOICounterpart and focal point of

DUDBC

Counterpart and focal point of

DWIDP

Year

Year Round

Irrigation

Average Cereal

Yield over 2001

level

Average Cropping

Intensity

Irrigated areaIrrigation

Efficiency

ISF target

20176428164804545

20276744193975075

item

comparisionIMP 1990APP 1995WRS 2002IP 2004To provide a long term strategy for the development of irrigation subsector that is consistent with the development policies of government.To accelerate the growth rate in agriculture through increased factor productivity.To increase agricultural production and productivity, ensuring food security of the nation.To develop shorter term investment programs that are consistent with long term strategy.To identify immediate, short term and long term strategies for implementation and to provide clear guidelines for preparing periodic plans and programs in future.To provide a sound data base and planning methodology, to facilitate regular updating of the Master Plan.To enhance the knowledge, skill and institutional working capability of technical human resources, water users and non-governmental association/organizing relating to development of irrigation sector.To transform the subsistence-based agricultue into a commercial one through diversification and widespread realization of comparative advantage.To provide round the year irrigation facility to the irrigation suitable land by effective utilization of the current water resources of the country.To develop institutional capability of Water Users for sustainable management of existing system.To alleviate poverty and achieve significant improvement in the standard of living through accelerated growth and expanded employment opportunities.To help reduce incidence of poverty, unemployment and under employment.To expand opportunities for and overall economic transformation by fulfilling the precondition of agricultural development.

8th 9th 10thItem8th Plan9th Plan10th PlanInterim Plan so farNewNewFarmers Managed reformNewFarmers Managed reformNewFarmers Managed reformIrrigation ha target29389514240010700012960064000959002370032968Irrigation ha accomplished20640165329845617318714298329686596Source: Three years interim Plan, Sinchai Barsik Pustika (065-66)

Sheet3YearYear Round IrrigationAverage Cereal Yield over 2001 levelAverage Cropping IntensityIrrigated areaIrrigation EfficiencyISF target2017642816480454520276744193975075

item