Participatory Irrigation Management; a case study from Kerala

"Vermillion (1999), drawing from Ostrom (1990), has classified three types of collective action observed in participatory irrigation management: constitutional
actions—observed at the initial/organizing stage; collective choice—formulation of rules and sanctions that describe the functioning of the system; and operational
actions, which are observed at the functioning stage. Limited information is available describing constitutional actions pertaining to check-dams, as this system has been in existence for many decades. Strict rules are lacking in the management of check-dams, therefore giving less importance to collective choice. Operational actions are more important, as these are essential elements of the successful management
of check-dams." say Balooni et all in Community initiatives in building and managing temporary check-dams across seasonal streams for water harvesting in South India. Conclusions:
"Check-dams represent a traditional water harvesting system and play a vital role in sustaining and enhancing the agrarian life of Kumbadaje panchayat. This motivation, and more importantly the people’s passion to carry forward traditional practices, are the major factors for community initiatives in building and managing the
check-dams. Without check-dams,most of the agricultural land would remain unutilized during the summer, thereby limiting the scope for growing perennial
(cash) crops.

Collective action among farmers is mostly noticeable during resource mobilization and construction of the check-dams. Cost-sharing arrangements vary among the check-
dams in our study. The head of a farmers’ group conducts most of the management activities of a check-dam on behalf of others. The success of this arrangement can be attributed to the homogenous and small size groups of farmers dependent on a check-dam. However, there is a lack of coordination among decision-makers belonging to different check-dams in the study area for timely and simultaneous construction of check-dams. Late building affects the usefulness and viability of check-dams. In most of the check-dams we studied, there is no definite and effective water distribution mechanism. However, with the increasing demand for water, farmers
need to implement allocation mechanisms to avoid conflicts.

There seems to be some reduction in the importance of this traditional water
harvesting system, as seen in the declining trend in construction of check-dams. The reason is not the lack of collective action among the farmers but the increased use of bore wells for meeting irrigation requirements. A decline in the availability of specialized skilled labourers for building check-dams may further contribute to this trend in the coming years. Subsidized electricity causes both over exploitation of ground water and excessive use of capital. Both contribute to the comparative neglect of check-dams. If the subsidy on electricity is not reduced, the government should consider providing appropriate incentives for constructing and managing check-dams, which enable more efficient use of water and also generate the positive externality of recharging ground water in surrounding areas.

Temporary check-dams are more suitable for water harvesting in our study area than semi-permanent and permanent check-dams. Many semi-permanent and permanent structures, built with government support, have become defunct due to defective construction.The traditional technologyof building check-dams should be sustained in the study area. The role of the government should be limited to providing funds primarily for building traditional check-dams and emergency maintenance operations, with minimal intervention in the management activities of the farmers’ groups. Such limited but critical government intervention is needed to sustain such traditional
water harvesting systems in India and elsewhere."
Another case of community resource management from MR The economics of local forest management (or another lesson in Elinor Ostrom).