Local responses to too much and too little water in the greater Himalayan region
Taokong, poorer villagers borrow grain or cash and (VC) implements a system of irrigation water distribution
raise fewer pigs because they have less maize to feed and rotation among village groups. Villagers from each
them. group also watch over the main irrigation channels to
ensure the water distribution is fair. The water fee is three
Leaving for off-farm work – As the incidence of droughts times higher when water supply is low, due to increased
has increased, respondents said that more villagers are costs of guarding the water facilities. As a result,
leaving for longer periods of seasonal migration for off- villagers’ costs for agriculture are increased.
farm work. For example, in Taokong, most families have
at least one member involved in off-farm work. If there Hiring contract managers is a common practice to
is a drought, two or more family members might go out manage irrigation water in villages with water shortages.
for off-farm work for a longer period and may travel to In Taokong, village leaders hire the contractors to be
further destinations in search of work. in charge of water pumping and guarding the pump
stations. In Daojie, the contractors are selected by an
open bidding process to manage the distribution of both
Collective action
irrigation and drinking water. However, the VC or village
When water shortages occur, individual households
groups still manage the irrigation system maintenance.
might adopt immediate coping mechanisms that prove
The capacity of these community organisations
to be insufficient, competitive, or contrary to the needs of
determines the ability of communities to maintain and
other households. Greater organisation and cooperation
improve the irrigation systems.
in the wider community is required to make long-term
adjustments to change. At the village level, communities
Drinking water management – In Daojie, each
respond in the following ways.
household has drinking water piped to their house
since 1994; however, the water quality remains poor.
Distribution rules for irrigation – In Daojie, when there
Originally, the water was provided free, but in 2003,
is not enough irrigation water, the village committee
the VC established drinking water regulations to limit
the use of drinking water for farming purposes and to
improve water use efficiency. It has also implemented
water fees and, in 2006, a water quota of 2 tonnes/
Rotation schedule for Daba reservoir in Taokong village,
person/month. If a household uses more water than the
agreed at the annual meeting called by the township
government to discuss the distribution of irrigation
quota, the VC imposes a fine six times higher than the
water from the main reservoir.
water fee. Most households have built small water tanks
to store water for use during the dry season, which is
very convenient for women’s household chores.
Increasing role of women in water distribution –
Recently, women have become more involved in
guarding water. In Taokong, only men were involved
in guarding water until a few years ago. With more
men away for off-farm work, women are now involved,
which has reduced physical fights among the men. Both
men and women are supporting the further involvement
of women.
Afforestation – In Baicai, afforestation programmes
initiated by village leaders have significantly increased
forest cover. The gradual process of afforestation over a
long period has dramatically reduced land degradation,
landslides, and soil erosion. Villagers are getting more
income directly from timber, fuelwood, NTFPs, and fruit,
which is improving their livelihoods dramatically.
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