Water Users Association and Irrigation Management - Institute for ...
Water Users Association and Irrigation Management - Institute for ...
Water Users Association and Irrigation Management - Institute for ...
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I<br />
times the WUA took the help of the village elders or leaders, who may not hold any <strong>for</strong>mal<br />
position in the society, to settle conflicts. It is interesting to note that so far no issues of<br />
dispute have gone either to the irrigation otlicer or to the civil court. When conflicts arise<br />
between members <strong>and</strong> office bearers of the WUA it is often resolved with the help of<br />
influential village elders.<br />
Table 7.8 Reasons <strong>for</strong> Conflict in Gundur<br />
Cart/tractor Not Irrigating Using irrigation Personal<br />
destroying contributing without water <strong>for</strong> other differences<br />
Reasons field canals labor on right/water purposes getting<br />
<strong>and</strong> ditches time theft manifested<br />
in farming<br />
activities ._..__ . __.-<br />
Percent 46.2 15.4 7.7 23.1 7.7<br />
The farmers have given the reasons <strong>for</strong> conflict <strong>and</strong> are mentioned in Table 7.8. The most<br />
common reason <strong>for</strong> conflict was that cart or tractor movement is destroying the neighboring<br />
field canals <strong>and</strong> ditches (46.2 percent) resulting in seepage or silting or flooding of<br />
neighboring fields. The WUA is considering providing PVC pipes to enable the smooth<br />
motion of tractors <strong>and</strong> carts. Farmers are willing to contribute money <strong>and</strong> labor to<br />
undertake this activity. The next important reason <strong>for</strong> conflict consists in use of irrigation<br />
water <strong>for</strong> washing cattle, cart, tractor, domestic use, etc. (23.1 percent) followed by not<br />
contributing labor on time (15.4 percent). Conflict due to non-contribution of labor on time<br />
is mostly resolved by the intervention of the WUA in a <strong>for</strong>mal way, because farmers are<br />
more accountable to the WUA than fellow farmers regarding contribution of labor.<br />
Conflicts due to irrigating without right or water theft <strong>and</strong> personal differences getting<br />
manifested in farming activities are limited <strong>and</strong> insignificant.<br />
Farmers did not indulge in illegal diversion of water or taking water by <strong>for</strong>ce or stealing<br />
water. The books in which fines over conflicts are recorded revealed that in the past five<br />
years only seven cases were <strong>for</strong>mally reported <strong>and</strong> all the farmers were one-time offenders<br />
<strong>and</strong> were not mentioned again in the fine book. The fines are fixed depending on the<br />
gravity of the offence <strong>and</strong> sometimes on the individual's ability to pay. The potential <strong>for</strong><br />
water-related disputes are low due to equitable supply <strong>and</strong> because farmers adhere to the<br />
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