March 9, Kathmandu – Today marks the observance of Irrigation Day and the Water Resources and Irrigation Department’s Foundation Day, celebrated under the theme “Systematic Use of Water Resources, Supporting the Construction of a Prosperous Nation” with various programs. The government initially established the Canal Department in 1952 BS as the starting point for irrigation on agricultural land. Since then, the government has been commemorating Irrigation Day on this occasion. The institutional development of irrigation progressed through the Canal Department, the Irrigation and Drinking Water Department, the Irrigation and Climate Science Department, and in 1987 BS, was transformed into the Irrigation Department. Following the promulgation of the constitution in 2015 BS, the Irrigation Department and the Department of Water-Induced Disaster Management were dissolved, and in 2018 BS, the Water Resources and Irrigation Department was established.
In Nepal’s history, the first government-initiated irrigation project was the “Chandra Canal,” which began construction in 1979 BS and was completed in 1985 BS. It is recognized as the first modern and Nepal’s oldest irrigation system. The canal was developed through the special initiative of then Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher Jang Bahadur, with the technical leadership of Shahi Sena’s General Dilli Jung Thapa. Recently, with financial and technical support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the canal’s 32 major structures, which have now completed a century, underwent reconstruction and strengthening.
This canal, drawing water primarily from the Triyuga River in Udayapur, provides irrigation facilities to 10,500 hectares of land in Saptari district through a 28 km main canal and 11 branch canals. It benefits approximately 35,000 farming households. Although irrigation access continues to expand on arable land, there remains the significant challenge of extending irrigation to nearly 1 million hectares of land. According to E. Mitra Baral, Director General of the Water Resources and Irrigation Department, out of a total cultivable area of 2.536 million hectares, irrigation reaches about 1.587 million hectares. Areas irrigated through surface, groundwater, reservoir, and lift irrigation methods have shown an average increase in hectare yield.
Nepal’s total arable land spans 3.557 million hectares. Baral noted, “As Nepal’s economy is primarily agriculture-based and about 62 percent of the population is engaged directly or indirectly in agricultural activities, sustainable, reliable, and efficient irrigation systems are essential for agricultural modernization, increased production, and food security. With this in mind, the department works with high priority to extend irrigation facilities to arable land.”
National Pride Projects: Rapid Progress
Six national pride projects under the department have gained momentum and are being prioritized for on-time completion. These projects include: Mahakali Irrigation Project (Kanchanpur), Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project (Kailali), Babai Irrigation Project (Bardiya), Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project (Surkhet), Sikta Irrigation Project (Banke), and Sun Koshi Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project (Sindhuli). This fiscal year, three of these projects have shown good progress.
- In the Sikta Irrigation Project, irrigation structures have been extended to 22,500 hectares so far, with the total irrigated area reaching 42,766 hectares.
- The Babai Irrigation Project has expanded irrigation structures over 27,330 hectares, targeting a total irrigation area of 36,000 hectares.
- Rani Jamara Kulariya Project has extended irrigation structures to 14,300 hectares, with a total irrigated area of 38,300 hectares.
Progress has also been made on the third phase of the Mahakali Irrigation Project. Director General Baral stated, “The Sun Koshi Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project and Bheri Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project are expected to make progress soon.”
Terai-Madhesh Groundwater Irrigation Program
The department is currently operating a program to provide irrigation facilities via groundwater irrigation technology to approximately 318,000 hectares of land in the Terai and inner Madhesh regions. The primary aim of this program is to develop groundwater irrigation systems on arable lands to increase agricultural production, ensure food security, eradicate hunger, and generate employment. The program covers 19 districts in Terai-Madhesh as well as hilly districts such as Udayapur, Makwanpur, Surkhet, Chitwan, Dang, Ilam, and Sindhuli. Baral explained, “Due to a lack of necessary technical knowledge for running groundwater irrigation systems, the department is making efforts to regularly resolve user issues.”
Last year, during the dry season in Madhesh Province when drought conditions prevailed, the department swiftly addressed problems and continued underground water irrigation to protect the paddy crop. The government had declared Madhesh Province a drought-affected area for three months starting July 21. Based on reports from task forces formed to identify and address issues related to water, irrigation, and agriculture, necessary measures concerning groundwater irrigation were implemented.
Water Resource Conservation and Management
The Water Resource Conservation Department is implementing an integrated river basin irrigation and water resources management program aimed at irrigating 25,000 hectares. The department systematically advances plans for water resource conservation, river control, and water-induced disaster management. According to Director General Baral, “The department also operates and manages canal systems in completed irrigation systems.” To date, 1,477 kilometers of embankments, 13,671 hectares of land elevation, and 635 check dams have been constructed. Baral added, “We are actively working on water resource conservation, river control, and water-induced disaster management.”
