Irrigation project brings Mahakali River water to Binayak fields in Baitadi

BY GOVINDA RAJ JOSHI,Baitadi, July.1: Pancheshwar Rural Municipality has completed the construction of an irrigation project to channel water from the Mahakali River to the Binayak fields. The project, which began construction in the month of May/June after the completion of a detailed study report in March/April, was completed within a month.

To distribute water to Pallobhora in Binayak, Ward No. 4 of Pancheshwar, three water tanks with capacities of 15,000, 8,000, and 1,000 liters have been built. Rural Municipality Chairman Gorakh Bahadur Chand said that a 17-horsepower electric motor has been installed to pump water into the tanks through four-inch pipes, which will then be used for irrigating the fields.

The technical aspect of the project was handled by RUDES, a social organisation working in the agricultural sector in Baitadi. Previously, RUDES had successfully implemented similar irrigation projects by channeling water from the Mahakali River to Khadeni and Burkil villages in Dasharathchand Municipality-10.

According to RUDES Executive Director Govindaraj Joshi, Pancheshwar Rural Municipality invested Rs. 3 million in the project, while RUDES provided technical support. He said that the vertical distance from the Mahakali riverbank to the water storage tank is 238 metres. Additionally, 600 metres of pipeline have been laid to carry water to the fields.

The 17-horsepower electric motor can pump 22 liters of water per second through the four-inch pipe. It will take around 18 minutes to fill the 24,000-liter water tanks. Since electricity consumption will be low, preparations are underway to install an agricultural meter.

Barley and Red Basmati to be Cultivated on 3,000 Ropanis

With the completion of the irrigation project in Binayak village, local varieties such as barley and red basmati rice will now be cultivated on 3,000 ropanis of land. Local Birendra Chand said that after the implementation of the lift irrigation system, the village is preparing for paddy plantation. Previously, the residents of Pallobhora in Binayak relied solely on rainwater for farming.

With the development of roads and irrigation systems, vegetable farmers in Binayak have also benefited. RUDES has pledged to help farmers sell their produce in the local markets and at the rural municipality center.

Goal to Extend Mahakali water to Kulau

Chairman Chand stated that if budget support is provided by the federal and provincial governments, they aim to extend the Mahakali River water from Binayak to the rural municipality center, Amchaura, and Kulau Bazaar in Ward No. 3 of Pancheshwar.

He said, "If the budget is allocated, we plan to bring Mahakali’s water to Amchaura and Kulau. We’ve also appealed to the federal and provincial governments. If we get the budget, our next goal is to make Pancheshwar green and fertile by channeling Mahakali water."

He added that due to climate change, streams and rivulets are drying up, leaving the optimal use of Mahakali River water as the only remaining solution for the residents of Pancheshwar.