| Author | Kanchana Upadhyay |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. NR-01-09 |
| Subject(s) | Irrigation--Nepal|zJhikhu Khola Watershed--Management
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of
Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. NR-01-09 |
| Abstract | The Gradual and ongoing process of landuse change in a watershed over a period of
time influences water resources of the watershed, ultimately affecting the irrigation
systems under operation within the area. The self-governing local inigation institutions are
important in water management, which is generally scarce in mountain watersheds. The
objective of this research was to assess the change in performance of the selected local
inigation institutions stressed by changing landuse within a watershed.
Jhikhu Khola watershed was chosen as the study area. The change in performance was
assessed in two different inigation systems, Raj Kulo inigation suystem under the pressure
of agricultural intensificaiton and Devbhumitar irrigation system under agricultural
extensification. The selection of the study sites followed inventorying of inigation systems
in particular areas where influence of change in landuse in terms of extensification and
intensification over 30 years period was confirmed by the GIS analysis and secondary
information. The systems' performances were assessed in terms of its water delivery and
technical efficiency as well as benefit from agricultural production within the command
area.
Inigated agriculture remained as one of the major landuses within the watershed for the
last three decades. In both of the study sites, relatively well off situation of the farmers in
terms of socio-economy were found, contributed mainly due to the inigation facility.
Within thirty-year period, decreasing trend in water availability was revealed in the two
inigation systems under study, both influenced by the increasing water demand. In the Raj
Kulo irrigation system, water demand within the system was found to have decreased
water availability over years. In the Devbhumitar inigation system, increasing agricultural
areas upstream and in the surroundings was found to be the key factor for water decrease.
No relationship, however, could be established between the irrigation water availability
and non-agricultural landuse transformation.
Overall, decreasing performance was observed in Raj Kulo inigation system over the 30
years period. On the other hand, Devbhumitar irrigation system showed improved
performance over the last 10 years. The performances of the inigation systems were found
to be highly influenced by the water availability to the appropriators. This, however, was
highly modified by the role of the inigation water user group, thereby modifying the
overall performance of the system.
|
| Year | 2001 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. NR-01-09 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh P.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Weber, Karl E. ;Apisit Eiurnnoh ;Shrestha, Rajendra P. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Danish International Development Assistance ; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2001 |