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Irrigation Day and the Establishment Day of the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation are being celebrated today with various programs under the slogan “Systematic Use of Water Resources, Contributing to a Prosperous Nation.”

The then-government established the Canal Department in 1995 to initiate irrigation on agricultural land. Since then, the government has been observing Irrigation Day to commemorate this milestone. In the process of institutional development, the Canal Department evolved into the Department of Irrigation and Drinking Water, then the Department of Irrigation and Water Science, and in 1930, it was transformed into the Department of Irrigation.

After the promulgation of Nepal’s Constitution in 2015, the Department of Irrigation and the Department of Flood and Disaster Management were dissolved, and in 2018 , the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation was established.

For the first time in Nepal’s history, the construction of the Chandra Canal began in 1922 and was completed in 1928 . This is considered the first modern and oldest irrigation system. Built under the special initiative of the then Rana Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher JBR, the technical leadership (Chief Engineer) of this canal was provided by Dillijung Thapa, the General of the Shahi Sena.

With financial and technical assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the 32 main structures of the canal, which has recently completed its century, were reconstructed and strengthened. Built using the Triyuga River in Udayapur as the main water source, the canal provides irrigation to 10,500 hectares of land in Saptari District through 28 km of main canal, 11 branch canals, and additional branch canals. It has reportedly benefited 35,000 farming households.

Although access to irrigation facilities has recently increased on arable land, irrigation still needs to be extended to about 1 million hectares. E. Mitra Baral, Director General of the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation, stated: “Out of the total 2,536,000 hectares of irrigable land, irrigation facilities have been extended to approximately 1,587,910 hectares. Areas reached through surface, underground, reservoir, and lift irrigation have shown an average increase in hectare-wise production.”

The total cultivable land in Nepal is reported to be 3,557,700 hectares. He added, “Nepal’s economy is mainly agriculture-based. About 62% of the population is directly or indirectly engaged in agricultural activities. Without a sustainable, reliable, and efficient irrigation system, agricultural modernization, increased production, and food security are not possible. Keeping this in mind, the department is working with high priority to provide irrigation facilities to cultivable land.”

National Pride Projects: Rapid Progress

Recently, six national pride projects under the department have gained momentum. Director General Baral informed that the department is working with high priority to complete these projects within their deadlines.

Currently, six national pride projects are underway: Mahakali Irrigation Project (Kanchanpur), Rani Jamra-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).

In the current fiscal year, three of these projects have made good progress. In the Sikta Irrigation Project (Banke), irrigation structures have so far expanded over 22,500 hectares. The project’s total irrigable area is 42,766 hectares. The Babai Irrigation Project (Bardiya) has expanded irrigation structures over 27,330 hectares, with a total planned irrigable area of 36,000 hectares.

Similarly, the Rani Jamra-Kulariya Irrigation Project (Kailali) has expanded over 14,300 hectares, with a total planned irrigable area of 38,300 hectares. Work on the third phase of the Mahakali Irrigation Project has also gained momentum. Director General Baral added, “The Sun Koshi Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project and Bheri-Babai Diversion Multipurpose Project will also pick up pace soon.”

Terai-Madhes Underground Water Irrigation Program

The department is implementing the Terai-Madhes Underground Water Irrigation Program to provide irrigation facilities to approximately 318,000 hectares in Terai and Inner Madhes. This program aims to develop underground irrigation systems on arable land, increase agricultural production and productivity, ensure food security, eliminate hunger, create employment, and contribute to overall gross domestic production while establishing the basis for refined and dignified livelihoods.

The program is being implemented in 19 Terai districts, Inner Madhes districts such as Udayapur, Makwanpur, Surkhet, Chitwan, Dang, and hilly districts Ilam and Sindhuli. Director General Baral stated, “Due to a lack of fundamental technical knowledge in operating underground irrigation systems, we are trying to address operational issues for users regularly.”

Last year, during the main monsoon season, the department acted swiftly to address water scarcity in Madhes Province, ensuring the continuity of underground irrigation to save paddy crops.

The government declared Madhes Province a drought-affected area for three months on 6th Shrawan (Nepali date). Based on a task force report that identified water, irrigation, and agriculture-related problems, the department immediately proceeded with necessary underground water irrigation measures.

Water Resource Conservation

The department has been implementing the Integrated River Basin Irrigation and Water Resources Management Program, aiming to irrigate 25,000 hectares of land.

The department systematically undertakes water resource conservation, river control, and water-induced disaster management. Director General Baral said, “We are also managing and operating completed irrigation systems.”

According to him, the department has completed 1,477 km of embankments, raised 13,671 hectares of land, and constructed 635 check dams. He added, “We are working on water resource conservation, river control, and water-induced disaster management.”

urjasanchar