The Impact of Rehabilitation Approaches in the Sustainability of the Management of Small Tanks in Sri Lanka

Authors: N.K.K. Welgama, W.A.D.P. Wanigasundera

Abstract:

Small tanks, the ancient man-made rain water storage systems, support the pheasant life and agriculture of the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Many small tanks were abandoned with time due to various reasons. Such tanks, rehabilitated in the recent past, were found to be less sustainable and most of these rehabilitation approaches have failed. The objective of this research is to assess the impact of the rehabilitation approaches in the management of small tanks in the Kurunegala District of Sri Lanka with respect to eight small tanks. A Sustainability index was developed using seven indicators representing the ability and commitment of the villagers to maintain these tanks. The sustainability index of the eight tanks varied between 79.2 and 47.2 out of a total score of 100. The conclusion is that, the approaches used for tank rehabilitation have a significant effect on the sustainability of the management of these small tanks.

Keywords: Minor irrigation schemes, Participatory, Small Tanks, Sustainable, Water resource management.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1333356

References:

[1] Brohier, R.L., "Ancient irrigation works in Ceylon," vol.I&II, Ceylon 1934.
[2] Central Bank of Sri Lanka,"Annual Report (2006)"Central Bank,Sri Lanka, 2007.
[3] Department of Agrarian Development(2000), Wevamunu 10,000 sanwardhana wadasatahana kriyathmaka kireema pilimbanda upades, Department of Agrarian Development, Department of Irrigation, Sri Lanka,2000.
[4] Dharmasena, G.T. "Global Diversity and Multifunctional role of tank irrigation in Sri Lanka," (In) Small tank settlements in Sri Lanka: Proceedings of a symposium,Colombo:HARTI,2004.
[5] Dharmasena, P.B., "Small tank heritage and current problems. (In) Small tank settlements in Sri Lanka," Proceedings of a symposium, Colombo: HARTI, 2004.
[6] Farmer B.H., "Pioneer peasant colonization in Ceylon: a study in Asian agrarian problems"Oxford,1957 pp 57-374.
[7] Gunasena, H.P.M., "Food security and small tank system in Sri Lanka" (In) Proceedings of the workshop organized by the working committee on Agricultural Science and Forestry, Sri Lanka,2000.
[8] Jayashantha, D.L.C., "Identification of minor tanks for rehabilitation: Shift in selection approach," (In) Proceedings of the symposium on Development initiatives in water sector: Lessons learnt by NGOs. Peradeniya Sri Lanka, 2006
[9] Jayawardhena, G.D.D.T., Kumara P.D.S.S., Walisinghe B.R. "An overview of minor tank rehabilitation process of dry zone agriculture development project (CARE International)," (In) Proceedings of the symposium on Development initiatives in water sector: Lessons learnt by NGOs. Peradeniya Sri Lanka, 2006.
[10] Kallesoe, M.F., Perera, H.D.B.S., Vidanage, S.P., "Multiple benefits of small irrigation tanks and their economic value- a case study in the Kala Oya basin in Sri Lanka," IUCN Sri Lanka, Asian region, 2005.
[11] Kumara, P.D.S.S., Abeysinghe, A.M.S.K., Gunawardena, I.P.P. "Post minor tank rehabilitation of DZADP in Moneragala (Care International Sri Lanka),"(In) Proceedings of the symposium on Development initiatives in water sector: Lessons learnt by NGOs. Peradeniya Sri Lanka, 2006
[12] Leach, E.R., "Pul Eliya, a village in Sri Lanka- a study of land tenure and kinship," Cambridge, 1971, pp 147-175.
[13] Madduma Bandara, C.M., "Catchment eco-systems and village tank cascades in the dry zone," Dordecht, Holland, Ricdel Publishing Company,1985.
[14] Madduma Bandara, C.M., "Small tank cascade systems: their relevance for minor irrigation rehabilitation (In) Small tank settlements in Sri Lanka," Proceedings of a symposium, Colombo: HARTI, 2004.
[15] Merrey, D.J., Rao, P.S., and Martin, E.,"Irrigation management research in Sri Lanka," (In) A review of selected literature.IIMI occasional Paper. International Irrigation Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka,1988.
[16] Ministry of Agriculture and Lands- Data book on village irrigation schemes of Sri Lanka - Kurunegala district, Water management Division, Department of Agrarian Services. Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2000
[17] Panabokke,C.R., Sakthivadivel, R., Weerasinghe, A.D. "Small tanks in Sri Lanka: evolution, present status and issues," International Water Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2002.
[18] Sangrama (2005) Praja paalana wimasuma, Sangrama (A reflection on Community Governance by Sangrama Organization), Nikaweratiya, Unpublished.
[19] Shand,R."Irrigation and Agriculture in Sri Lanka," Colombo Institute of Policy Studies, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2002.
[20] Sivayoganathan, C., and Devarajah, K., "Minor tank development and its impact on livelihood of rural households in Sri Lanka," Journal of the Agricultural Engineering Society of Sri Lanka, 9:1-12, 2003.
[21] Sivayoganathan, C., Herath, H.M.G, Pinnaduwage, S., Bogahawatte,C. "Socio economic evaluation of the village irrigation rehabilitation project," 1991.
[22] Sivayoganathan C,. Mowjood,M.I.M., "Role of extension in irrigation water management in Sri Lanka," (In) Tropical Agricultural Research and Extension. University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 2003.
[23] Tennakoon,M.U.A., "Tanks are not mono functional: They are multifunctiona,l" (In) Small tank settlements in Sri Lanka : Proceedings of a symposium,Colombo:HARTI, 2004.
[24] Wedathanthri, H.P., "Community participation in water management of small tanks in Kotawehera," Proceedings of National workshop on water for agriculture and rural development in Sri Lanka. Ministry of Irrigation and Water Management, Food and Agriculture Organization and Japanese Institute of Irrigation and Drainage, Marawila, Sri Lanka. 2003.
[25] Wedathanthri, H.P., Wijesinghe, B. and Perera, M.A.L. "Integrated approach for small tank rehabilitation," (In) Proceedings of a Symposium on Development Initiatives in Water Sector: Lessons Learnt by NGOs. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 2006.