PIM Status and Perceptions

[Editor's note: Groups of water users established for purposes of irrigation management can function as resource managers to conserve their collective water resource. Mr. S.K. Dua sees this environmental role as a natural evolution of PIM and invites us to look into the future at some of the conservation functions of water user groups.]

The concept of farmers' involvement in irrigation management is not new to Indian farmers. Water co-operatives have been in existence as far back as the 10th century on tank irrigation. The Northern India Canal Act of 1873 obliges farmers to maintain the field channels and in event of failure empowers the state to recover the O & M cost from them. But the concept of farmers' management participation was largely ignored during the post-Independence period. Only during the last two decades has the Government of India encouraged formulation of WaterUsersí Associations by systematic issue of guidelines; and by organizing seminars; workshops and training courses.

Conservation of Resources

• The steps I propose for incorporation in Haryana's PIM program are not only the transfer of O&M but also: (1) conservation of water for achieving more coverage with available water; (2) conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water, and (3) utilization of saline waters and recycling of waste waters in an integrated manner.
• Water user associations created under a PIM approach could play an important role in water conservation through some of the following activities:
• Monitoring of water supplies at thr source to plan augmentation or switch over to alternatives.
• Monitoring any seepage, rise of sub-soil water level or fall in level where pumping is involved.
• Measure actual delivery of water vis-s-vis ideal crop water requirement.
• Monitor transit losses or farm losses due to inadequate or unsound irrigation application methods.
• Monitor pollution from toxic effluents into the irrigation channels.
• Identify potential supplementary irrigation sources (e.g., saline waters).
• Encourage shift to micro-irrigation practice where suitable.
• Measure supply to encourage economic use of water.

- S.K. Dua, Engineer-in-Chief, Irrigation Department, Government of Haryana (India)