TRADITIONAL WAY OF PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Ancient civilization developed along the banks of rivers and water bodies. The ancestors had a great wisdom to harness the gift of nature. Several periods of prosperity are quite discernible on the history of India. History revels that the prosperity at that time was depend upon well conceived water planning and wisdom in water management. Numerous documentary and field evidences are extent in different part of India. The country was ruled by various dynasties and all of them were very much particular in promoting the Rain water harvesting and irrigation development. They were providing financial aids for construction of water harvesting devices for holding water both on ground surface and under ground surface. The water management and Ownership was lies with the community. Repairs and water management were totally in the hands of the community. The ancestors were far ahead in field water management. They were taking almost care for equitable distribution of water harvested and stored in water bodies. Therefore the techniques and the system were last for centuries to gather. Unearthing the wise principle can give guide lines to the water user in the present period also. This paper deals with one of the best methods of participatory approach and wise full irrigation anagement used by the ancestors in arid part of the county.

TRADITIONAL WAY OF PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Keywords:

Diversion Weir , irrigation , water management , Water distribution policy , Farmers participation , equitable distribution , crop management