Managing Conflict in Irrigation Sector

Prachanda Pradhan, GESI Training in WRPPF,

Department of Irrigation,Nepal August 6, 2018

Managing Conflict in Water sector

�  Scope of Presentation:

� Water Sector conflict at different levels:

�  Inter-country ( relating to sharing of water among or between countries, for example : Gangas water sharing between Bangladesh and India after Farakka Barrage ( Impact in Bangladesh-Gore River, quantity of water share, no flushing of salt water and intrusion of salinity and their effects in Bangladesh

Other Example �  Indus Water Dispute settlement is an

interesting arrangement negotiated by World Bank to conclude Treaty to share water between India and Pakistan.

�  There are many of such examples from different parts of the world

�  (Canada,-USA, India Nepal etc)

Managing such conflicts �  It requires special skill and art of negotiation

�  Knowledge of International Law

�  Riparian right

�  Prior Appropriation right

�  In short, this is the situation in international context

�  Similar situations exist within a country

�  Caused by inappropriate water Share and water allocation ( federal systems have many of such situation)

From water to irrigation �  Focusing on irrigation

�  What is irrigation? (multi-discipline)

�  These terms are important to understand:

�  -water right

�  -Water allocation

�  Water distribution

�  Conflict settlement

�  Dispute arbitration

Mulki Ain of Nepal �  Provision of Jaga Biraune mahal ( land

cultivation provision)

�  Irrigation system can be constructed by individual or group of farmers.

�  Once it is constructed, ownership in (FMIS) remain with the group of farmers.

�  New irrigation system can not be constructed above the system or it has to be above certain meters whereas it is allowed below the system

Conflict in water sharing in irrigation system

�  This is the story about conflict among two or more systems

�  - Conflict between Satrasaya Phant and Yampaphant-( Tanahu District) conflict cause, water source ownership ( Water right) Contested by both systems, went to court, court decision was to continue as was practiced traditionally

�  Inter-community Conflict ( Girwari Khola system), Nawalparasi District

Conflict in Girwari about water share and water right

�  Traditional systems in Girwari

� Nawalpur resettlement in Nawalparasi close to Girwari

�  Training to resettlers in Rampur, during training, drinking water was identified as main problem

�  Rampur training center provided some financial support for drinking water project

Con’ted �  Requested for drinking water canal from

Girwari to Nawalpur starting from Jhalbas.

�  Conflict started from increased demand

�  -from drinking water to irrigation

� How the conflicts increased

�  There are many examples of such conflicts in Nepal.

To avoid the conflict among systems

� Water share divisions among systems in the river like � Water share among 5 systems in

Tinau River ( Chhatis Mauja and others)

� Rapti River- among systems on both sides of River ( Pragana systems)

� This water share distribution is done during dry period

Irrigation systems within village

�  Study undertaken by USAID in 1980s found that majority of conflict in villages are originated in water issues

� Water related conflicts are prominent in many villages of Nepal. That also in irrigation sector.

Water related conflict in irrigation system

�  Functions of Irrigation

�  Water extraction

�  Water allocation

�  Water Distribution

�  Drainage ( improper drainage cause land and crop damage)

�  Operation

�  Maintenance design

�  WUA- hydrological boundary,

Con’ted � Membership and water entitlement

�  Obligations by virtue of water right

�  Resource mobilization is based on the obligation which is again related by water entitlement

�  Sources of conflicts are ;

� Water allocation

� Water distribution

Conflict Management �  Physical intervention modes

�  Social and Institutional mechanism

� Water dividers like ( Physical Intervention) �  Proportioning weir, Physical control devices

�  Saacho, by different names in different countries including in Nepal

�  Individual channels for each village from main canal

Proportioning Weirs

Socio-institutional measures �  Establishment of WUA

�  Provision of conflict resolution, Sources of conflict , Resource mobilization, non-compliance of standard,

Water distribution- time or contineous ,downstream flood or no water(Transparency)

� Water stealing , forms and methods ( like crab doing, breakage of channel etc)

Con’ted �  Suppression of demand to reduce conflict

�  Collective decision for conflict resolution

�  Status of water related conflicts �  Water scarcity and level of conflict.

�  Where there is scarcity, more conflicts

� More rules and regulations to govern the conflict

New dimensions in conflict in Water sector

�  Irrigation and drinking water as point of conflict

�  Water Resources Act, 1992

�  Irrigation and Hydropower

�  Basin transfer related conflict ( jhimruk Hydropower )

�  More infrastructure in river systems, water share and lack of planning for water allocation ( Basin Org. and Planning)

Reference �  Visit webpage:

�  Prachandashare.wordpress.com

�  Search:

�  Women ( about role of women in irrigation)

�  Conflict (inter community water related conflict of Giriwari Khola)