May 27, Kathmandu — The government of Nepal has been expanding irrigable land across the country through effective management. According to the Ministry of Finance’s progress report for the current fiscal year, the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has extended irrigation facilities to 1,590,388 hectares through federal level projects. Among this, irrigation services are available year-round on 532,655 hectares of arable land.
To ensure year-round irrigation, the government has advanced several large and significant initiatives. The ministry reports that underground irrigation schemes have increased irrigable land by 546,448 hectares. Additionally, 6,088 hectares have been added through lift and reservoir irrigation programs. Embankments spanning 1,518 kilometers have been constructed along major and medium-sized rivers, protecting 13,891 hectares of land.
Under the underground irrigation projects, irrigation services have been extended over 1,037,848 hectares. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has established and put into operation 192 water measurement centers and 355 meteorological stations. To manage risks related to river erosion, flooding, and landslides, significant allocations amounting to NPR 559 million have been designated for major rivers such as Mahakali, Karnali, Narayani, and Koshi during the current fiscal year.
Embankments measuring 1,494.71 kilometers have been constructed along rivers including Mahakali-Darchula, Karnali, Narayani, Babai, Bhadra Aarhi, Khando, Triyuga, Koshi, and Bakraha. Up to the end of Falgun, protective and rescue efforts have been ongoing for 15 risk-prone markets, according to the ministry. Landslide-prone areas have been identified and subjected to studies and research, with landslide management work underway at 53 locations. Furthermore, 12 basin master plans have been prepared, and 3,164 lift irrigation systems have been expanded. Maintenance work has been carried out on 2,557 hectares of surface irrigation facilities, alongside the addition of 174 hectares of new surface irrigation systems.
