Rangeli Municipality in Morang has constructed a dam on the Kayar River, aiming to irrigate 7,000 bighas of farmland. Built with a budget of Rs. 27.5 million, the dam, located at the border of Ward-6 was a joint effort by Ward-1 office and Belbari Municipality.

Ward Chairman Mahesh Kumar Khanal stated that 90 per cent of the work has been completed.

Initially, they sought support from the federal government but didn’t receive it. Later, the project received a 60 per cent subsidy, enabling the municipality to make this a pride project for farmers.

Mayor Dilip Kumar Agrawal said that the municipality avoided a ceiling budget, instead focusing on large projects based on each ward’s needs and demands.

As part of this strategy, the irrigation project in Ward-1 was developed, said Agrawal. Mayor Agarwal said development couldn’t be achieved by spreading the budget too thinly.

The Kayar River border dam project will fully irrigate the farmland of Ward-1 and 2, and partially irrigate Ward-3, 4, and 5. The dam has also mitigated erosion on both sides of the river, securing a consistent water source all the year round.

Local farmers are pleased that the previously wasted river water will now be used. “Water was flowing in the river, but we had to rely on boring water for irrigation. Now we can irrigate directly with river water,” said a local farmer Ram Narayan Chaudhary.

Now, with this dam, they can channel river water directly to their fields, even in winter when the water flow is very low.

Another farmer Ishwar chand Majhi added that for farmers, reliable irrigation is even more important than roads, allowing them to cultivate confidently even with low winter water levels.

Rangeli, Sunbarshi, Ratuwamai, Kanpokhari, Dhanpalthan, Kathari, and Jahada rural municipalities, is a key rice-producing region in Morang.

By Hari Prasad Koirala