EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION AND COMMON RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AT ANDHI KHOLA IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Water resources being one of the major natural resources of Nepal, culturally, economically as well as geographically it plays an integral and vital role in the agriculture based economy that supports 40% of the GDP with more than 80% people's involvement in the sector. Land fragmentation coupled with small land holdings, and uncertainties in land tenure regulations are identified as some of the confronting factors in the process of agriculture development in the country. Land pulling from the larger landholders with their consent and distribution of land in accordance with the water right shares earned during the construction of the irrigation project has addressed the poverty to a larger extent and the effort made by Andhi Khola Water User's Association (AKWUA) is commendable. This indigenous practice of water right provided an opportunity to even the land less family of the command area to earn land by contributing labor during the construction of the project. This indigenous practice has provided land to the 15 landless and 56 marginal farmers’ family. The water right shareholders can even sell their share of water to the person in need with in the command area. The out come of the strategic management and implementation of this irrigation project has not only resulted in the decrease of migration but it has improved the economic condition of the people. Increase in the crop production and economic activities has attracted establishment of boarding schools and mills for grain processing. The water from the Andhi khola Irrigation system has not only been used for irrigation but it is used in multiple purposes. This system is a unique model of the integrated water resources management and has been successful to address the poverty with in the command area.