Water Resources Management for Nepali Hill Farmers
Updated 17June 2009
Executive Summary
Water Resources Management: The Glacier Trust is working
with Practical Action in Nepalto build the resilience of subsistence mountain communities to adapt to climate
change. This project is cited in Nawalparasi (north of the ChitwanNational Park) and promotes
integrated water resources management.
The problems:(i) As a direct impact of climate change, snowmelt is becoming an
increasingly unreliable source for irrigation water in the high hills of Nepal.
(ii) Water resources for hill farming in Nepalare primarily derived from rainfall.However changes to the rainfall pattern give rise to periods of drought,
allowing the soil to dry out and lose cohesion, making it susceptible to
erosion from the monsoons, which are now more intense than previously.Traditional irrigation systems were not
designed to cope with this new climate regime of drought and inundation.
(iii) In consequence crop viability can be precarious, while landslides
are destroying both terraced slopes and existing irrigation systems.
The Solutions:The
Glacier Trust’s support of Practical Action will enable:
(i) Planning the integration and management of water resources for
differentuses, e.g. drinking,
sanitation, agriculture and as an energy source.
(ii) Rehabilitating and strengthening the channel system by use of
concrete and polythene piping, improving efficiency
(iii) Harvesting and storage of rainwater for use in periods of
drought(iv) Efficient
micro-irrigation system such as sprinklers and drip irrigation systems.These also promote soil cohesion.
Outcomes:(i) The benefits of storage providing a year-round water supply will
also need be seen in terms of improvements to agricultural practice. Capture of
available surface water is enhanced by contour planting and terracing of hill
slopes, which conserve soil water and reduce erosion.
(ii) The introduction of new and
more diverse crops, promoting a flexible response to a dynamic
environment.
(iii) Where feasible, irrigation water can also run water mills and
generate electricity for local use. This brings additional benefits to
communities and enables them to diversify their livelihoods without carbon
emissions.
Sustainability & Assessment: Ultimately the success of
any scheme of this type needs to be seen in terms of its wider application (or replication)
into other parts of the catchment* area or other catchments.This includes conservation and management of
existing forest resources within the catchment and bringing barren land into
forestation.The ongoing training and
monitoring of community leaders is essential to this project’s success.
*(Note: American use the word ‘watershed’ denotes a
‘catchment’ in British English. Since ‘watershed’ has a different meaning in
British English and American English, we will use the word ‘catchment’ here.)
Appeal Target:£20,000.We have raised just over
half this amount. Can you help us with the other half ?
1.1 Introduction: The Glacier Trust’s involvement and
partnership:
The Glacier Trust is involved in different approaches for
mitigating the hazardous effects of climate change upon communities living at
high altitudes. It does so by working in partnership with NGOs and with
grassroots organisations, providing them with the scientific and/or financial
capital by which they can develop holistic adaptation strategies in this
dynamic environment.
In the case of this project, The Glacier Trust is appealing
for funds to partner a water management project proposed by Practical Action
Nepal, which has important implications for both for human welfare and the
wider ecology in Nepal.
1.2 Himalayan climate change and its results:
The need arises directly as a result of recent climate
change. According to Practical Action’s research, the mean annual temperature
of Nepal has
increased by 1.3 degrees C between 1975 and 2005. We should take notice. Nepalis already demonstrating those effects of climate change which the IPCC has
predicted for much of the Northern hemisphere in the coming years. In a word:
higher temperatures mean more droughts and fewer, heavier, rainfall events. In Nepalthese trends are already highly visible.
Rainfall patterns are showing a high degree of both spatial
and temporal variability from previously recorded data.Rainfall across the country over the last 25
years shows that variability can be as much as 40mm more or 40mm less than
average, per annum.Additionally, a
preliminary study of climatological data of Nepalshowed the rainfall distribution over the seasons is also changing. For
example, the Midwestern region of Nepal,
which is relatively a dry region, is receiving less rainfall (on an average -
10mm / year). Although monsoon rainfall in this area has shown an increasing
trend, it is more than offset by other seasons, which show a decreasing trend.
The characteristic of the monsoon rain is also becoming more intense instead of
drizzling.
2.1 The problem – Water (too little or too much):
Field observations have shown that the local people are
experiencing a decreasing trend in water availability for household use and
agriculture. Yet the overall annual volume of rainfall is increasing. This
indicates a shift in rainfall pattern away from the periods when it is needed
for agriculture.
2.1.2 Meltwater:
In the high mountains the reasons are more easily
quantified. The main source of irrigation and drinking water has been from
snowmelt. However as temperatures warm, the snowline is retreating upslope,
making this water reserve less available. Obviously melt form retreating
glaciers increases water short term, until the reduction in ice reduces water
flow. In some cases this ‘tipping point’ has already occurred and adequate
supplies of meltwater are threatened.
2.1.3 Rainwater:
In the mid hills, there is a greater reliance upon
rainwater. Traditionally, farms were able to rely upon a predictable supply of
rainwater for irrigation.For this
reason no advanced irrigation and storage system was necessary. Today, the
traditional irrigation systems have become increasingly unable to cope with the
problems created by irregular rain pattern and the rise in temperature.
2.1.4 Groundwater: This pattern is affecting groundwater
levels and springs. There is a further complication. The dates of the monsoons’
arrival are also less predictable.This
upsets agricultural rhythms and can, for example, cause the loss of a whole rice
crop.
2.1.4 Sheet-flow:
During the prolonged periods of drought, soil will dry out
and harden. This reduces its ability to absorb water when the rain comes, and
water will run off the surface in sheet-flow. A vicious circle ensues whereby
the ground remains hard despite rainfall. Sheet-flow is highly erosional,
exploiting any surface cracking or weaknesses along terrace edges and can lead
to large scale landslips.
2.2.1. Lack of coping strategy:
These circumstances form a text-book example of the problems
The Glacier Trust seeks to address, namely the lack of connection between
climate change science and the communities most affected. It is important to
realise that while we, in the North, are at least familiar with the concept of
climate change, the concept is virtually unknown to Himalayan hill
farmers.While they are experiencing its
impacts (e.g. landslides, infrastructure destruction and long drought spells),
they will have no information about the cause of the problems that are
affecting them. Under these circumstances, it is virtually impossible for
communities to form and implement adaptation strategies because they have no
‘steer’ on forthcoming trends. Such trends will show an increasing degree of
climatic variability, rendering much of their repairs to infrastructure a
wasted effort.
3.1 Solutions:
Any solution to the problems cited above need to adopt a
step by step approach, so that lessons learned in one area can be translated to
other areas. Practical Action Nepal is proposing a series of integrated and
holistic solutions to these problems in the mid hills involving education and a
fresh approach to irrigation.
3.1.1 Education:
Imparting information about climate change to communities
and introducing new technologies will strengthen their capacity to adapt to its
impacts. Where possible this will be done by developing existing practices and
infrastructure.
3.1.2 Integration:
The use of water needs to be integrated. Since water is
becoming an increasingly finite resource in Nepal,
education is needed to conserve water and to develop an integrated approach to
its use (household needs, farm and irrigation). Integrated Water Resources
Management approaches are underdeveloped, wasting both water and money.
3.2.1 Infrastructure:
The first improvement required is to the water channels.
Traditionally these are simple earthen channels for gravity flow from which
water is diverted from the source to the command area. Because of dramatic
changes to the rainfall pattern, these channels are no longer efficient. Their
capacity needs to be improved and strengthened by use of concrete and / or
polythene piping, depending upon geographical locations. When water can be
conveyed effectively, it can also be harvested and stored.
3.2.3 Irrigation:
Once the water harvesting systems are in place by
constructing tanks and ponds, collection and distribution of water for
household use and for irrigation purposes can be developed and integrated.
3.3.1 Agriculture:
The distribution of water for agricultural purposes may
include efficient micro-irrigation system such as sprinklers and drip
irrigation systems.Such practises
promote soil cohesion.
3.3.2 Soil quality – cohesion & reduced runoff:
Once an efficient water resource is available, soil cohesion
can be reestablished, development in agricultural practices can be considered
and a virtuous circles can be developed. Contour planting and terracing of the
slope land helps conserve the soil water. It also helps for efficient use of
available surface water. There is anecdotal evidence from the Bagmati
Integrated Watershed Management Project that the construction of series of
water harvesting ponds over the sub basins has contributed to the conservation
of catchment area through ground recharge and minimization of surface run
off.It also has ensured water for
irrigation and livestock
3.3.4 Wider context:
The importance of any project such as this is its wider
context, for example the whole catchment area including conservation and
management of existing forest resources and bringing barren lands under forest
area through propagation.
3.3.5 Other uses:
The purpose of integrated water resources management is to
promote diverse use of limited water for additional productive activities.
Where feasible, the irrigation water can also run water mills and generate
electricity for local use. Such usage of water brings additional benefits to
the communities both in saving time and in the diversification of livelihood.
3.4. Determining the location
3.4.1 Climatic:
There are two climate change scenarios where intervention
will enable community adaptation:
a) Increasing temperature and decreasing rainfall.
This trend is in Midwestern development region of Nepal.
This condition has affected the water and other natural resources adversely and
ultimately the livelihood of the poor communities.
b) Increasing temperature and increasing rainfall.
This trend is occurring in western part of Mid-development
Region and eastern part of Western Development Region of Nepal. Prolonged
winter droughts are becoming more frequent (virtually no rain fell from
September 2008 to March 2009). Following this, the increasing volume and
intensity of rainfall has resulted into heavy soil erosion, destruction of
infrastructure including irrigation channels and the destruction of farm
land.This is a real threat to
livelihood.
3.4.2Accessibility:
Because of the limited budge for this project, travel and
monitoring costs need to be minimised. The site selected in the Lower
Mahabharat Hills is the Hupsekot Catchment in Nawalparasi district (Western
Development Region). This area belongs to the second category area mentioned
above (increasing temperature and increasing rainfall). The project site has
the important advantage of being one of the catchment areas in the district
where Practical Action is already working on issues of disaster avoidance and
food security.
3.4 3 Socio-economic factors:
While there are no obvious cultural barriers in reaching the
affected communities, site selection is also determined by the type of the
communities, namely the poorest of the poor, living literally hand-to-mouth.
These are most vulnerable to climate change impacts.
3.5 Stages in introducing the technology
3.5.1 Research:
Practical Action will gather information from various
sources. First it will accumulate data from local inhabitants. Since the
proposed catchment area has not been the subject of hydrological survey, the
most reliable source of information is the indigenous community.This will be done by using participatory
tools in which Practical Action is well versed.
3.5.2 Data gathering and preparation:
Information will be gathered about rainfall and temperature
trends, which, if not clear, may require some external expertise. A preparatory
period of 2 months will probably be required before the main project begins, in
order to arrange staff and communication with local stakeholders.Detailed planning will be needed both with
local partners and the communities involved. Students from The Glacier Trust's
postgraduate suport programme will participate.
3.5.3 Duration:
After the two month preparatory period, the main project is
expected to last just over a year.This
will include time taken to make agreements with the households to share the
resources; agree mode of implementation; let the district stakeholders know of the
project etc. The final assessment will be undertaken during the final (15th)
month. Any subsequent technical evaluation will require additional time.
3.5.4 Mobilisation:
The strategy is to implement this project is through
community mobilization. An executive committee will be formed from among the
householders, whose tasks are to mobilise labour and local resources.
Discussion is needed to identify the specific problems as they relate to the
climate change and to plan adaptation strategies. This requires time, which may
not be easy.Indeed the poorest
households may find it very difficult to give time to the project’s activities.
Although it will benefit them in the coming months, such households are under
severe pressure to get enough food on a daily basis.This is a true reflection of their poverty,
where daily pressure precludes investment of time for the longer term in. These
problems should not be underestimated.
3.5.5 Implementation:
The Glacier Trust and Practical Action will need the agency of
local partners in the form of local Community Based Organization (CBO) who will
play roles in mobilising local communities and local resources and implement
the activities in the field. Practical Action will oversee and manage the
project and provide technical supports to the partner or the CBO. In other
projects, Practical Action have used resources form government line agencies -
especially seedlings from District Offices of Agriculture and Forestry, check
dam materials from Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention (DWIDP) and
District Development Committee (DDC) and Village Development Committees (VDCs).
It is anticipated that resources from these organizations will be available.
3.6Sustainability of
inputs. Ensuring the success of this adaptation strategy
3.6.1 The risk:
Ensuring sustainability is perhaps the most important part
of this project. Aid projects can easily do more harm than good because of a
lack of follow up and trouble-shooting. In this case we envisage that risk
might arise, not during the project implementation, but after the completion of
the project for lack of management of the infrastructure. This would be a waste
both of money and of the developed skills of the local people who were trained
during the project period. The importance of a sustainability plan that helps
the communities to continue the management activities and use of skill beyond
the project will very likely be needed. The following strategies will be used
to minimise the risk.
3.6.2 Support agencies:
Government agencies together with the District Agriculture
and District Development Committee will be consulted for technical support for
the communities. The involvement of government agencies will help develop their
links to the communities for continuity of the project after its completion.
This may require some monitoring. Mobilisation of the CBOs will have the effect
of strengthen their capacity technically, financially and institutionally. This
will enable them to ensure the projects maintenance, long term.
4. Benefits:A wider
community?
4.1. Immediate benefits: Providing a water system that will
ensure the viability of these communities will cost The Glacier Trust something
of the order of £60 a head. The communities themselves are contributing to the
scheme over and above this sum.
4.2 Replication?
It is important to
note that this project has the opportunity to demonstrate and package an
adaptation strategy for possible replication elsewhere. Benefits can be shared
with other Village Development Committees (VDCs), which will help development
of VDC level policy and planning for climate change adaptation in future.
However, within the proposed catchment an additional 200 households will be
able to observe these activities and learn directly from them.
4.3 Wider application:
District level policy: The project activities will be shared
with district level authorities and development practitioners. A
lesson-learning paper will be published after the project, enumerating the
problems, both resolved and unresolved. This will help to build the foundations
for the development of appropriate policies at local level and may generate
necessary information for national level policy formulation.
5 Literature
A review of some literature is in preparation. However the
following is very useful background reading on the subject:
Poudel, K.P. 2003 Warershed management in the Himalayas:
a resource analysis approach, Adroit Publishers, Delhi.
