Village irrigation woes persist amidst funding challenges and neglect

By Rabindra Upreti,Bardibas, Oct. 8:The food problem in Raimandal village has intensified due to the lack of repair to the irrigation tube in the Bhabasi River, located in the far northern region of Bardibas. This old settlement, nestled at the foothills of Chure, is home to 54 tribal families and boasts about 50 bighas of cultivable land.

According to the villagers, when water flowed onto the land, they could cultivate crops such as rice, wheat, and corn throughout three seasons of the year. Additionally, peas and vegetables increased, making the village a place of contentment with abundant produce and evergreen greenery.

According to Bel Bahadur Thapa, 55, a resident of the village, the irrigation facility has remained blocked since a flood, that occurred four years ago, damaged the Bhabasi River. This situation has also exacerbated the issue of obtaining drinking water in the village. 

Thapa further mentioned that owing to extreme poverty, villagers could not afford to send their children to school.

“Since the water stopped flowing in the village, we have been suffering,” he said, gesturing towards the barren fields. “Villagers now have to import rice.” Even the children have had to stop attending school because they cannot get their meals on time.

Hem Bahadur Balampaki, regarded as one of the educated youths in the village, has passed the SEE examination. According to him, until about a decade and a half ago, water from the Bhabasi River was used for irrigation through traditional wells.

The village’s landscape underwent a transformation when Care Nepal constructed a paved road. At the same time, irrigation expanded to cover more areas round the year. With increased production, villagers were able to transport surplus food grains and vegetables to the Bardibas market for sale. Everything was going smoothly during that period.

Later, about five years ago, a non-governmental organization planted bamboo along the canal’s banks in the name of Chure protection. Villagers were compelled to engage in labour, placing stones within wire mesh and constructing check dams at two to three locations.

Then, the flood that occurred four years ago swept away everything. Balampaki explained that the irrigation system came to a halt when the Bhabasi river’s water level dropped significantly, about 10 to 15 feet below the culvert. The villagers have accused the organization of manipulating the river’s flow by asserting that wire fencing was unnecessary.

“But, we made efforts to reinforce the wire netting by adding cement on both sides of the river and working together,” said Bel Bahadur Thapa. “But they refused to accept these efforts as well. Now, this wire netting has become a source of hardship for us, and our fields have turned barren.” No one in the village can recall the name of the institution, but there are allegations that the three individuals involved have not returned since the project’s inception.

Bir Bahadur Rana Magar from the village voiced his complaint, stating that despite continuous requests from the municipality and local leaders over the past four years, no one has paid attention to the repair and restoration of the irrigation line.

The actions of the Bardibas Municipality have further substantiated the claims of neglect. In the policy and programme approved by the 12th Assembly of the municipality, it is explicitly stated that ‘the irrigation system will be restored while preserving the traditional villages’. However, the budget allocated for irrigation in the fiscal year 2023/2024, which amounts to Rs. 9.5 million, does not incorporate the Bhabasi families.

Raimandal Bardibas is a village located within Ward No. 3 of the municipality. While a budget of Rs. 7.3 million has been allocated for 12 projects in the ward for the current fiscal year, it does not cover the repair of the Raimandal Bhabasi irrigation system. Instead, an allocation of Rs. 500,000 has been made for the construction of a concrete irrigation canal in Parsaidhap.

Birat Bista, chairperson of Ward No. 3, asserted that he has been advocating for the repair of the Bhabasi irrigation system since his election. Furthermore, the President of the Chure Development Conservation Project has prepared the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the irrigation repair last year.

Bista stated that the central government has allocated a budget of Rs. 3 million for this purpose. Given the deepening of the river, the construction of a ‘harvesting dam’ in Bhabasi is essential, as it could facilitate both irrigation and promote tourism. However, an immediate requirement of Rs. 8 million for this project has stalled progress, and they are actively working towards securing additional funding, he added.