Governance issues for sustainable management of village irrigation in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka
Governance issues for sustainable management of village irrigation in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka

Author: Imbulana, Upali

Publisher: IWMI

Published: 2023-12-01

Total Pages: 21

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Village irrigation systems (ViSs) are vital in rural livelihood, food, and water security. VISs include small (minor) tanks and diversions (anicuts). The hydrologically linked tanks with natural drainage patterns form cascades, and beyond food and water security, they play a significant role in mitigating flood and drought impacts on communities in river basins. With anthropogenic changes, many cascades are in depilated states now. This paper finds that policy support with legal recognition to cascade-based community-level institutions promote bottom-up water and natural resources management approaches. They also facilitate investigations of ill-defined subject areas in cascade management and complex socio-political and economic issues and challenges constraining sustainable cascade based VISs operations.

Small Tanks in Sri Lanka
Small Tanks in Sri Lanka

Author: C. R. Panabokke

Publisher: IWMI

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 85

ISBN-13: 9290904771

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

The core of this study involved an examination and analysis of certain key features of the traditional small tank cascade systems: a) the location and design of the systems in the past b) the hydro-system which considers the overall hydrological balance and groundwater conditions c) maintenance and tank use d) tank management and integration with local farming systems.

Forgotten Agricultural Heritage
Forgotten Agricultural Heritage

Author: Parviz Koohafkan

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016-11-25

Total Pages: 312

ISBN-13: 1315470071

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Contemporary agriculture is often criticized for its industrial scale, adverse effects on nutrition, rural employment and the environment, and its disconnectedness from nature and culture. Yet there are many examples of traditional smaller scale systems that have survived the test of time and provide more sustainable solutions while still maintaining food security in an era of climate change. This book provides a unique compilation of this forgotten agricultural heritage and is based on objective scientific evaluation and evidence of the value of these systems for present and future generations. The authors refer to many of these systems as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) and show how they are related to the concepts of heritage and the World Heritage Convention. They demonstrate how GIAHS based on family farms, traditional indigenous knowledge and agroecological principles can contribute to food and nutrition security and the maintenance of agro-biodiversity and environmental resilience, as well as sustain local cultures, economies and societies. Two substantial chapters are devoted to descriptions and assessments of some 50 examples of designated and potential GIAHS from around the world, including rice-fish culture in China, mountain terrace systems in Asia, coffee agroforestry in Latin America, irrigation systems and land and water management in Iran and India, pastoralism in East Africa, and the dehesa agrosilvopastoral system of Spain and Portugal. The book concludes by providing policy and technical solutions for sustainable agriculture and rural development through the enhancement of these systems.

Groundwater of South Asia
Groundwater of South Asia

Author: Abhijit Mukherjee

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-06-01

Total Pages: 796

ISBN-13: 9811038899

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

This book presents recent findings from the South Asian region (SA), broadly including groundwater studies on (a) quantity, (b) exploration, (c) quality and pollution, (d) economics, management and policies, (e) groundwater and society, and (f) sustainable sources. It offers a compilation of compelling, authentic insights into groundwater scenarios throughout the water-stressed South Asia region. Comprising Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, it is the most densely populated region in the world: It occupies approximately 4% of the global land area but supports more than 25% of the global population. The SA region now faces an acute shortage of fresh water due to a rapid rise in water demand and changes in societal water-use patterns. Combining essential advances and perspectives, this book offers a valuable resource for all scientists, planners and policymakers who are interested in understanding and developing the SA and other related areas.

The Irrigation Sector
The Irrigation Sector

Author:

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 148

ISBN-13: 9780821344644

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

India's irrigated agriculture sector has been basic to India's economic development and poverty alleviation. One of India's major achievements is its rapid expansion of irrigation and drainage infrastructure. However, the major emphasis on development has been achieved at a cost. The importance put on new construction has diverted attention away from the need to ensure the quality, productivity, and sustainability of the services. Further, a governmental subsidy based approach has been used and this has resulted in irrigation and drainage services which, while enabling significantly higher productivity than from non-irrigated lands, are well below their potential. 'The Irrigation Sector' discusses directions for future growth, the framework for reform, and the reform agenda.

Stakeholder-oriented Valuation to Support Water Resources Management Processes
Stakeholder-oriented Valuation to Support Water Resources Management Processes

Author: Leon Hermans

Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 96

ISBN-13: 9789251054772

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Today, raising capacity in water resources management entails supporting stakeholders and decision-makers to reach a common understanding on the priorities and necessary arrangements for sharing and allocating water-related goods and services. Valuation is central to this process, as setting priorities and making choices implies valuing certain uses and arrangements above others. Water valuation can help stakeholders to express the values that water-related goods and services represent to them. It also offers a means for conflict resolution and planning, informing stakeholders, supporting communication, and facilitating joint decision-making on priorities and specific actions. This report confronts concepts from the literature on water valuation with practical experiences from three local cases where an effort was made to embed existing valuation tools and methods in ongoing water resources management processes. It uses the lessons from this exploration to provide a first outline for a stakeholder-oriented water valuation process. This is expected to provide a useful starting point to help water professionals and policy-makers improve the use of water valuation as a means to support participatory processes of water resources management.

Indigenous Peoples and Sustainability
Indigenous Peoples and Sustainability

Author: IUCN Inter-Commission Task Force on Indigenous Peoples

Publisher: [Gland, Switzerland?] : IUCN Indigenous Peoples and Conservation Initiative

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 376

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK

Indigenous peoples are responsible for most of the world's cultural and biological diversity. The primary purpose of this document is to alert the conservation and development communities to the value and importance of involving indigenous peoples in national and other strategies for sustainable development