Nepal Marks Irrigation Day with Focus on Sustainable Water Resource Management

Kathmandu. Irrigation Day and the establishment day of the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation are being celebrated today with various programs under the slogan 'Systematic utilization of water resources, support in building a prosperous country'.

The then government initiated irrigation for agricultural land by establishing the Canal Department in 2009 BS. The government has been celebrating Irrigation Day in reference to that occasion. In the course of institutional development of irrigation, it was transformed into the Department of Irrigation in 2044 BS after passing through the Canal Department, Department of Irrigation and Water Supply, and Department of Irrigation and Hydrology.

Following the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal in 2072 BS, the Department of Irrigation and the Department of Water-Induced Disaster Management were dissolved, and the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation was established in 2075 BS.

In the history of Nepal, the construction of the 'Chandra Canal' began in 1979 BS and was completed in 1985 BS, marking the first government-level initiative. It is considered the first modern and oldest irrigation system. Built under the special initiative of the then Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher JBR, the technical leadership (Chief Engineer) of the canal was provided by Colonel Dilli Jung Thapa of the Royal Army.

Through the financial and technical support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the reconstruction and strengthening of 32 major structures of the canal, which recently crossed a 'century', were completed. Built using the Triyuga River in Udayapur as the main water source, the canal provides irrigation to 10,500 hectares of land in Saptari district through 28 km of main canal, 11 branch canals, and additional sub-branch canals. It is reported that 35,000 farming households have been benefiting from this.

Although access to irrigation facilities in arable land has gained momentum recently, it appears that irrigation access still needs to be extended to another 1 million hectares of land. Director General of the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation, Er. Mitra Baral, said, "Out of the total irrigable area of about 2.536 million hectares, irrigation facilities have already been extended to about 1.58791 million hectares of land. Productivity per hectare has increased on average in areas reached by surface, groundwater, reservoir, and lift irrigation."

It is reported that the area of arable land in Nepal is 3.5577 million hectares. He said, "Nepal's economy is mainly based on agriculture. About 62 percent of the population is directly or indirectly involved in the agricultural profession. Without a sustainable, reliable, and effective irrigation system, agricultural modernization, production growth, and food security are not possible. Keeping this in mind, the department is working with high priority to provide irrigation facilities to arable land."

National Pride Projects: Rapid Progress

Recently, six national pride projects under the department have gained momentum. Director General Baral informed that the department is working with high priority to complete these projects within the deadline.

Currently, six national pride projects are being operated under the department: Mahakali Irrigation Project (Kanchanpur), Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project (Kailali), Babai Irrigation Project (Bardiya), Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project (Surkhet), Sikta Irrigation Project (Banke), and Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project (Sindhuli).

It is reported that after the tireless efforts of the department in the current fiscal year, the progress of three of these projects is good. The area where irrigation structures have been expanded under the Sikta Irrigation Project (Banke) has reached 22,500 hectares. The irrigable area of this project is 42,766 hectares, while the area where irrigation structures have been expanded under the Babai Irrigation Project (Bardiya) has reached 27,330 hectares. The irrigable area of this project is 36,000 hectares.

Similarly, the area where irrigation structures have been expanded under the Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project (Kailali) has reached 14,300 hectares. The irrigable area of this project is 38,300 hectares, and it is reported that the work of the third phase of the Mahakali Irrigation Project has also gained momentum. Department Director General Baral said, "The Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project and Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project will also gain momentum now."

Terai Madhesh Groundwater Irrigation Program

The department is also implementing the Terai Madhesh Groundwater Irrigation Program to provide irrigation facilities through groundwater irrigation to about 318,000 hectares of land in the Terai and inner Madhesh. The department stated that the goal of the program is to prepare a basis for a refined and dignified life by contributing to the increase in GDP by developing groundwater irrigation systems in those arable lands, increasing agricultural production and productivity, ensuring food security, ending hunger, and creating employment.

The department stated that the program is being implemented in 19 districts of Terai Madhesh, including inner Madhesh districts of Udayapur, Makwanpur, Surkhet, Chitwan, and Dang, as well as hilly districts of Ilam and Sindhuli. Director General Baral said, "We are trying to address the problems faced by consumers in operating irrigation systems regularly due to the lack of basic technical knowledge of operating groundwater irrigation systems."

The department worked at a rapid pace to immediately address the problems caused by the drought in Madhesh Province even during the main rainy season last year. It tried to continue groundwater irrigation to save the paddy crop.

The government declared Madhesh Province a drought-affected area for three months on Shrawan 6. Based on the report of the task force formed to identify and submit an action plan for solving problems related to drinking water, irrigation, and agriculture, the department moved forward with the immediate work related to groundwater irrigation.

Water Resource Conservation

The department has been operating the Integrated River Basin Irrigation and Water Resources Management Program. The program aims to irrigate 25,000 hectares of land.

The department has been carrying out water resource conservation, river control, and water-induced disaster management in a planned manner. Director General Baral said, "It has also been carrying out the operation and management of canals in the completed irrigation systems."

According to him, the department has completed the construction of 1,477 km of embankments, reclaimed 13,671 hectares of land, and built 635 check dams. Director General Baral said, "Work is being done on water resource conservation, river control, and water-induced disaster management."