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BOOK REVIEW |
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BOOK REVIEW |
Water Ways Water resources expert
Somnath Poudel discusses the challenges and prospects of irrigation in Nepal By A CORRESPONDENT In the last five decades, Nepal has made considerable efforts to increase agriculture production, but it has been unable to achieve its targets. As the rate of production is still moderate, the country is in no position to meet the demands of a growing population. Despite the introduction of modern technology and development of new crop strains, Nepal has turned from a net exporter of foodgrains to an importer. Nepalese farmers have already utilized their land to the optimum level, but the imperative of boosting production persists. As the country's population is increasing at the rate of 2.5 percent annually, there is an urgent need to increase food production to avert a crisis in future. At a time when Nepal's topography cannot permit the expansion of farmland, improving irrigation facilities and exploiting the country's vast water resources in other ways can bring changes in production patterns. An irrigation engineer with a vast experience in the sector, Somnath Poudel knows how to accumulate water efficiently and where to utilize it optimally. Although politicians and technicians have been talking about the need to expand irrigation, only a few projects have been implemented in the past decades. In his book, Poudel analyses the lapses in irrigation policies as well as the major institutional weakness. Discussing the present state of irrigation in Nepal, Poudel also provides a historical context. Nepalese farmers have a long history of irrigation, having started building canals centuries ago. According to Poudel, the history of irrigation in Nepal goes back to the Licchivi Period when there was a dominance of farmer-managed irrigation canals. Nepal followed the practice of farmer-managed irrigation for a long time. Along with highlighting different phases of irrigation in Nepal, Poudel also discusses the evolution of modern systems over time. After the completion of the Chandra Nahar, farmers in the eastern part of the country experienced optimum benefit from snow-fed rivers. Nepal has built many irrigation projects in the last five decades, but they are not in a position to supply water during the dry season when the farmers require water to intensify farming. Although three major projects, including Gandak, Koshi and Sarada, were completed, Nepalese farmers have been virtually deprived of significant benefits. Although the book is based on a descriptive approach and generally explains irrigation schemes on a project basis, it highlights the importance of community-based initiatives in the sector. Poudel argues in favor of a long-term program for irrigation and discusses the right of upper riparian in the utilization of the water resources. In a country where many retired experts spend time in family affairs, Poudel has contributed to enhancing understanding irrigation policies and their importance in the overall development of the country. Since a large number of Nepalese remain unfamiliar with the extent of Nepal's water resource potential, Poudel's book can be expected to help bridge the gap. Nepal Ma Sinchai: Jaljanya Sanstha
Ra Sansthagat Vikas |
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editor: spotligh@mos.com.np |
