TRADITIONAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM OF “AHARS AND PYNES” It is 100% requirement for all world to save ,conserve and utilise the water efficiently- A CASE STUDY

1. TRADITIONAL IRRIGATION SYSTEM OF “AHARS AND PYNES”
1.0 Introduction:Ahars and Pynes are important components of indigenous and traditional irrigation system.
The system is in existence since several thousand years. These systems are mostly concentrated in south Bihar
and erstwhile Chotanagpur and Santhal Pargana region (now Jharkhand). These systems have evolved over
thousand years with need based knowledge and experience of people residing in the region. Their effectiveness
is time tested as they have sustained the irrigated agriculture of South Bihar for centuries. These are community
managed systems and have received administrative and financial support from kingdoms and Zamindars from
time to time.
2.0 Historical Background:
There are statistical and historical accounts of their evolution in Kautilya’s “Arthshastra”. Well developed systems
of Ahars and Pynes were in existence during Mauryan period (327-297 BC) and Chanakya’s Magnus Opus”
Arthshtra” gives very detailed description of the system including rules for their operation and distribution of water
and punishment for not following the rules. Megasthenes, the Great ambassador in the court of Chandragupta
near Patna in 300 BC, has described the well developed irrigation system contributing to the prosperity of the
region. Historical records show the extensive expansion of indigenous irrigation system during the Sultanate and
Mughal period (1100-1800 AD). Detailed descriptions of indigenous irrigation system in South Bihar are available
in the reports/ books by Francis Buchanan (1810-11) and W.W.Hunter (1876) and various district Gazetteers of
Bengal Presidency. Col Dickens, who planned Sone Canal System (1855) has also mentioned the existence of
well developed and organized system of indigenous irrigation system of Ahars and Pynes in the command of

2. Sone Canal System. According to Dickens the system of Ahars and Pynes were so developed and established
that the farmers would not take water from the proposed Sone Canal System for irrigation during Kharif season.
They would irrigate their Kharif crop (mostly paddy) from Ahars and Pynes and might take supplemental irrigation
from canal water during Kharif only in special circumstances. Therefore in his initial report, Dickens did not
consider any revenue from Kharif irrigation and based the entire economics of the Sone Canal Project on the
revenue from irrigation during rabbi season only. Col. Dickens in his report of 1855 stated that excluding the hills
and the jungles bordering them about 5/6
th
of Shahabad Distt. appeared to be under cultivation and perhaps 2/3
rd
were under spring crops and about 2/3
rd
of the spring crop was irrigated more or less.
According to the report submitted to the them Lt. Governor of Bengal by Col. H. W. Gulliver, Officiating
Chief Engineer Bengal, about three fourth of area of Patna, Gaya and Shahabad Districts were cultivated; and
about half of that area was irrigated by some means, either by wells, small reservoirs, or water courses led from
the drainage lines; and all these except some wells were managed by beneficiaries.
The report dated 31
st
December, 1870 from the Superintending Engineer, Sone Canal Circle to the Chief
Engineer Bengal showed the extent of irrigation being practiced through pynes from the four rivers flowing
through Gaya & Patna districts as follows :
Morhar River 9,238 ha.
Jumuna River 1,467 ha.
Phulgu River 27,490 ha.
Punchane River 12,652 ha.
Total 50,847 ha.
Ahars and pynes were extensively used in Gaya district. The Irrigation Commission of 1901-03 noted that
these systems irrigated about 676,113 ha – more than half of the area of the district. Nearly three-fourths of the
total irrigated area in South Bihar, excluding the Sone Command, was irrigated in this way.

3. Several other British writers have praised the ahar-pyne system. LSSO Malley mentioned in the Gaya
district gazetteer in 1919. “To a ryot of eastern Bengal the country would seem utterly unsuitable for rice
cultivation, both from the nature of the surface and the comparative scantiness of rainfall. Rice a plant which
needs to be submerged in water for about three-quarters of its period of growth- was being cultivated in a land
which received nearly half the rainfall available in eastern Bengal, but where water drained out very quickly. Yet,
rice was the staple crop in South Bihar and was known possibly at a much earlier date than in east Bengal. It is
mostly to the credit of the indigenous device of the ahar-pyne system that rice cultivation has been possible in thi
tract. About 90 percent of winter (aghani) rice was cultivated in irrigated land, and the major sources of irrigation
were the ahars and pynes”.
3.0 Present Position:
The system of indigenous & traditional irrigation by ahars and pynes were constructed by farmers themselves
and were basically community managed, as stated earlier they received patronage from royal kingdom and
Zamindars. These systems were nicely maintained by farmers’ labour under the leadership and patronage of
Zamindars. However, with the re-introduction of modern structures of irrigation engineering they paled into
negligence, decay and disuse. It is surprising and not clearly understood why the tradition of community
management which was in existing since several thousand years and has stood the test of the time, failed so
miserably.
It is relevant to note that during the implementation of Sone Canal Project, the well established traditional
irrigation systems of ahar and pynes were damaged due to carelessness of the implementing engineers, not
withstanding the concept of Dickens of utilizing already existing system of ahar and pynes for kharif irrigation
supplementing the same from Sone Canal System in case of shortage during critical period and/or years.
Subsequently enquiry was held after the strong complaints by the farmers against the damage of the traditional

4. irrigation system of ahars and pynes and the report of the enquiry committee, consisting of two British engineers
and one local engineer, confirmed the damage to the system as alleged by the farmers. The historical records
show that they were nicely maintained upto early twentieth century (1920) and after that their deteriorations
started.
With the abolition of Zamindari system, those indigenous and traditional irrigation systems of Ahars and
pynes came under the administrative control of Revenue Department of the state government. The systems
continued to deteriorate due to lack of proper maintenance and attention. Presently the systems are in much
deteriorated condition; Ahars and Pynes are silted; embankments of ahars are breached; the spillways are
generally damaged; and their potential has vastly reduced. During 2006 these irrigation systems of ahars & pyne
have been transferred under the administrative control of Minor Water Resources (MWR) Department. The MWR
Department is maintaining these systems and the department is also preparing a very ambitious plan of extensive
restoration, renovation and modernizations of ahars and pynes. According to the available information there are
about 20,938 such irrigation structures out of which about 17,683 are functional. They are mostly concentrated in
historical “Magadh Region” consisting of eleven districts of Patna and Magadh Divisions and “ Ang Region”
consisting of Bhagalpur & Munger Divisions. The Culturable Command Area (CCA) covered under these
schemes is 4, 83,033 ha and total irrigation potential is 5, 45,784 ha. According to the present report about 3,
25,000 ha area is being irrigated presently through ahar and pynes annually.
4.0 Technical Aspects:
The region of South Bihar, where the indigenous and traditional irrigation systems of Ahars & Pynes have
evolved, has the following characteristics: the ground slope is steep; the rainfall is scanty; and most of the rivers
draining the area are shallow, non-perennial and flushy. These characteristics have helped the evolution of the
Ahar & Pyne System. Though the system is more than several thousand years all the concepts of modern

5. planning of water resources projects are enshrined in it. These are discussed here under in very brief.
4.1 Pynes:
The entire region of South Bihar, including the present command of Sone Canal System- prior to its
construction, was intercepted by many channels off-taking from shallow rivers flowing from hill range to Ganga
and distributing river water to agricultural fields. These channels are called pynes and are in existence in large
number in the region even to day. These pynes are in fact, small inundation canals constructed with practical skil
to supply water only when the stage of the river was high. These pynes often continued for a considerable
distance, distributed water over the fields or flowed back into the river. They perform the dual purpose of irrigation
as well as drainage.
Pynes originate not only from the small shallow rivers; they also originate from Ahrs (small reservoirs) and
also terminate in an other Ahar on downstream. Often a pyne connects several Ahars in series located one above
the other.
Sometimes, to divert water into Pynes leading to Ahars, farmers even dammed the small rivers to raise
water level at the time of low flows at several locations and utilizing the entire quantity of water available in the
river through cascade type arraqngement. These dams (bunds) across the river were temporary earthen bundhs
of the river bed material and usually washed off at high discharge making available increased discharge to the
pynes in the down stream.
Pynes originating from small rivers generally do not have control structure at their head. However in case
of pynes originating from ahars, they generally have an outlet provided with pipe or masonry structure, which ma
or may not be gated.
4.2 Ahars:
Ahars are embankments (small dam) constructed on mildly slipping land for harvesting, conservations and

6. storage of rain water for irrigation of crops. They were built by throwing embankments across small drainage or
low lying lands having small catchments to hold rain water in the small reservoir created behind them. While
Ahars perform the task of harvesting, conserving and storing the rain water, pynes perform the job of distribution
of water for irrigating the crops and thus the combination of Ahars & Pynes, become very effective and useful.
Generally a spillway is provided at Ahar to pass the surplus discharge and to provide protection to the
Ahars against breaching in case of high flood. The spillway may be a pipe or open masonry structure with
adequate discharging capacity. These spillways are generally un-gated and their sills are located at a higher leve
so that the desired storage is maintained behind the Ahars.
The submergence under the Ahars is temporary. A part of the submergence area, very close to the Ahars,
may not be cultivated during Kharif because of deep submergence. However cultivation of rice is practiced during
Kharif season on the fringe of submergence area where the depth of water is very small, which suits the
cultivation of rice as it requires stagnant pool of water for its growth and development. But during rabi season, the
most parts of the submergence area and/or in some cases the entire submergence area become dry and as such
rabi crops are cultivated. In the years of drought the ahar beds were often used to grow paddy. Sometimes, the
ahar beds were also used to grow rabi crops after draining the excess water that remained after Kharif cultivation
But cultivation of Ahar beds are not very common practice. Some restraints were possibly practiced not to use
bed of irrigation works.
The residual moisture of soil available in the fringe of Ahars helps for the growth and development of rabi
crop. In most of cases, water is not available for rabi irrigation. In rare case water may be available in limited
quantity for irrigation during rabi and they can be utilized for irrigation, by lifting water through indigenous method
or by pumping. Residual moisture becomes available also in the area adjacent to the Ahar on the down stream
side through underground flow of water, which facilitates cultivation of crops during rabi season.

7. In cases of Ahars without Pynes and spill sections, the repeated practice of distributing the water of Ahars
buy making a breach in the embankment was followed. These phenomenon were recorded in the government
records, which subsequently formed the water right for the use of ahar water for individual farmers.
The length of several large Ahars extends up to one mile or more but the number of such large Ahars is
not more than one tenth of the whole. Similarly the length of big Pynes extends to several miles. Several of these
large Ahars & Pynes convey very large quantity of water during dry season; often more than the remains in the
channels of the river.
4.3 Flood Moderation:
The system of Ahar-Pyne played very significant role in moderation of flood in South Bihar, where they existed in
abundance. The storage of flood water in the small reservoirs of large number of Ahars and large scale dispersio
of torrential flood water into Pynes minimized the rush and spread of flood water passing through South Bihar.
Some of the small rivers of South Bihar could never reach any of big rivers like Ganga & Punpun because their
water was completely dispersed through Ahars and Pynes. In the aftermath of deterioration of old system of Ahar
– Pynes, recalling their role in flood moderation/mitigation the Flood Advisory Committee of old Gaya district
observed in 1949 as follows:
“The committee is of the opinion that the fundamental reason of occurrence of floods (in Gaya District) was the
deterioration of the irrigational system in the district. The ground was sloppy and rivers run more or less in a
parallel line to the north. The earth was incapable of absorbing water. The existing irrigational arrangements
which have been of the nature of chess board, strewn over the whole district and were intended to impede
untrammeled flow of water. The district was immune to flood, which has been now lost owing to the deterioration
of indigenous system of Ahars-Pynes”.
4.4 Drainage of Surface Water :

8. Apart from the function of distributing water to the agriculture fields for the irrigation of crops and carrying a part o
flood water away from the river and thus helping in moderating/ modulating flood, Pynes also function as a
drainage channels. Thus multi functional use of Pynes makes them very unique. The existence of large number o
Pynes, has helped the region to remain completely free from water logging due to surface water drainage
congestion. The network of Pynes had modified the drainage system, thereby improving the same.
4.5 A Measure Against Drought :
According to the assessment made by the Second Bihar State Irrigation Commission (1994) about 16.37 lakh ha
area is drought prone in Bihar, which is about 17% of the total geographical area of the State and about 37% of
South Bihar where the entire drought prone area is located. The level of protection against drought provided by
the Ahar-pynes system can be gauged from the fact that the old Gaya District (comprising all the present districts
of Magadh Division), where the system reached its highest level of development remained practically immune to
famines while rest of India suffered. In 1866, the year of Orissa Famine, 1873-74 during Bihar Famine caused by
the failure of rain and during the famine of 1896-97, the then Gaya district required practical no relief. This
immunity began to disappear once the traditional irrigation system of Ahar-pynes began to deteriorate. There
were several years of scarcity during 1930s. Old Gaya district in particular Nawada sub-division (which is now
Nawada district) was in grip of severe drought and famine in 1950-52 and 1957-59. The famine of 1966 struck
Gaya district with the same severity as it struck other districts of Bihar. To-day, parts of Gaya district (including
Nawada district) are regarded as drought prone area due to deterioration of the traditional irrigation system and
lack and/or delay in implementation of reliable irrigation schemes.
5.0 Planning Aspects :
A close study of the different aspects (like planning, construction, operation & maintenance) of the indigenous &
traditional irrigation system of Ahar-Pynes, reveals its beauty, ingenuity and its appropriateness to meet the

9. requirement / demand. It also shows that most of the concepts of modern planning and management, which have
evolved over time in the sphere of water resources, are well incorporated in these old indigenous and traditional
irrigation system of Ahar & Pynes, while the major & medium irrigation projects being implemented during presen
time lack all these ingredients; there is simply loud thinking, suggestions and / or talk of incorporating them.
These are discussed here under in very brief.
5.1 Intergraded Planning :
As discussed in previous sections, the system did not only provide for irrigation, rather it contributed towards
moderation/mitigation of flood by allowing the retaintion/detention of flood water in small reservoirs of large
numbers of Ahar along with diversions of flood water in several pynes with large size and capacity; and improved
the drainage system due to the large number of pynes, which serves the dual purpose of irrigation & drainage.
The irrigation system was so effective that the region was immune to famine even if there was scarcity/shortage
of normal rain. It would not be irrelevant of mention that several major irrigation projects of the state implemented
during post independence period lack the integrated planning for irrigation and drainage. The negligence of
drainage aspect under Kosi and Gandak Projects is a major glaring example of lack of integrated planning.
5.2 Integration of Major-Medium and Minor Irrigation Schemes :
At present there is complete lack and/or absence of any integration/co-ordination between irrigation schemes
executed under the two categories of irrigation schemes viz.,
i) Major & medium irrigation schemes under Water Resources Department
ii) Minor irrigation schemes under Minor Irrigation Department
However, while planning the Sone Canal Project, Dickens in his project (1855) conceived the idea of integrated
and co-ordinated use of the existing indigenous irrigation system and the proposed Sone Canal System. This is

10. evident from his proposal that he did not calculate upon the irrigation of rice crops as a source of income from the
Sone Canals because, in his opinion, generally enough water was available from monsoon as managed by the
people by means of their small tanks (system of Ahar & Pynes). The canal was reckoned upon as a means of
serving the rice crops in bad seasons, but the income to be derived from the rice irrigation was left out of account
in calculating the revenue of the canal under the belief that the people would not be willing to pay annually for
what they would require during exceptional seasons. However, the visionary plans of Col. Dickens could not
materialize as the indigenous irrigation system of Ahars-Pynes were damaged by the engineers during
implementation of the Sone Canal Project.
5.3 Alignments of Ahars & Pynes :
The beauty of planning aspect of Ahars & Pynes is reflected in the location of Ahars and the alignment of Pynes
as they fit very appropriately into the existing topographical features. Their efficient functioning is a testimony to it
It must be appreciated that it has been done entirely on the basis of judgment by naked eye and based on
practical knowledge of the topographical features as contours were not available; these are not available even to
day.
5.4 The Concept of Watershed Development :
In the modern planning for water resources development much stress is being given to watershed development
for harvesting and conservation of rain water especially in drought prone area. The study of the traditional
irrigation system indicates that the concept of watershed development and management is very well enshrined in
them. The Ahars and pynes have been aligned after identifying the different major/ minor/ mini and micro
watersheds in the region.
5.5 Water Management :

11. In the government operated and managed major and medium irrigation schemes, there is much talk about water
management which relates to distribution of canal water among the farmers, delivery of canal water to individual
field and actual application of water for irrigation of the crop. Water management is considered very important as
it holds the key to improvement of water use efficiency and increasing the productivity of irrigated agriculture.
However, there is hardly any effective activity relating to water management visible at field level and hardly there
is any sign of improvement in water use efficiency in major and medium irrigation schemes. But on the contrary,
very high level of water management measures were practiced in providing irrigation through Ahars & pyns as
they ensured very economical use of water, partial irrigation was provided in case of scarcity in order to save the
crop from complete failure and above all equitable distribution of available water was ensured in accordance with
well established and well document water rights over long period.
5.6 Supply Based system :
One of the most important features of traditional irrigation system of Ahar and pyne, which distinguishes it from
the modern major and medium irrigation schemes, is that the traditional system is supply based where as the
modern irrigation schemes are demand based. In the traditional system there is no control over the supply so
both the systems - agriculture & irrigation - are based and tuned to availability of water. When ever and what eve
quantity of water becomes available with occurrences of rainfall, the same has to be carried to command area
and distributed to the fields immediately and the agricultural activities have to be planned and undertaken
accordingly. Under the circumstances the pynes are having larger capacity compared to the design capacity of
canal in modern major & medium irrigation schemes. It is significant to note that while planning and implementing
the proposed scheme for restoration, renovation and modernization of Ahars & Pynes, care should be taken to
retain these special characteristics. These should not be lost and destroyed.
5.7 Land Use and Crop Planning.

12. The general slope of ground in South Bihar is from hills located on the south to the north towards Ganga. Ahars
are generally located at higher elevation in the southern side of villages and irrigated fields were in the northern
side of the village. All along the gentle declivities at some distance from the villages have been drawn ditches
which serve as reservoirs receiving the water from above and collecting it for the supply to the fields below in
occasional droughts. The fields are, therefore, usually cultivated with rice while those between the reservoirs and
the villages are cultivated with crops that come to manurity in spring and do not require so much water as rice
does. The whole of South Bihar had huge terraced fields on gentle slope. Given this terrain each village had
dhanhar (paddy growing) land and whit (high land) suitable for growing crops (other than paddy) during Kharif
which require less water and also for growing rabi crops. This arrangement shows the best use of land and
available water.
5.8 Management of Conflict & Water Rights :
5.8.1 Maurya Period :
As stated earlier the traditional irrigation system of Ahars & Pynes and tanks are very old. Historical records show
that well developed and established such irrigation systems were in existence during Maurya period (BC 300). As
a matter of fact the existence of such irrigation system helped in development of agriculture, which contributed
towards the overall prosperity of the region including education. The existence of world famous Nalanda
University should be viewed in this background. Even at such an early period, care was taken to take appropriate
action for the resolution of the conflicts and for ensuring smooth operation of the system. The following rule, whic
is mentioned in Chanakya’s Arthshashtra is a good example.
“A tank on lower level constructed afterwards shall not flood with water a field irrigated by a tank at higher level. A
tank constructed on a higher level shall not prevent the flooding with water of a lower tank except when the use
has ceased for three years. For transgression of that the punishment shall be the lowest fine for violence and

13. emptying of tanks”.
It would not be out place of mention that several major & medium irrigation projects constructed during post
independence period do not have detailed Manual for Maintenance and Operation though they are in operation
for more than 40 years; a fact which is telling upon their efficiency.
5.8.2 British Period :
The repeated practice of distributing the waters of Ahars by making breach in the embankment and irrigating thei
fields formed water rights for use of Ahar water for individual farmers, which was later recorded in the
Government records. The disputes among the farmers were resolved according to these water rights; similarly th
construction of temporary dam across the river to divert total surface flow from the river into the Pynes was also
fixed regarding its location and date of construction and removal. These bunds were constructed all along the
length of the river and dispute among different villages regarding utilization of water during water scarcity
condition (Hathia nakshtra during the month of October) was resolved according to the well defined water rights.
This is the practice even now in a few of rivers in the districts of Gaya & Patna.
5.8.3 System of Parabandi :
Allocation of water, which was a major source of conflict, was managed by the farmers. The system of Parabandi
(which was quite similar to Warabandi being practiced in Punjab, Harayana & western UP and efforts are being
made to introduce in major and medium irrigation schemes in Bihar also) was evolved and was practiced to
distribute water among the farmers from the common source (pyne/ahar/tank). The Zamindaars would appoint
proper persons to divide water among farmers. Usually Parabandi arrangement was followed strictly in the month
of Ashwin (mid-September) when demand was more and supply limited. During rainy season all branches of
pynes were left open as there was surplus water in the system. Each village has its share of water fixed either in
the number of days or hours, thus assuring their distribution to all villages in a two week cycle. A detailed register

14. called “Lal Bahi” specifying the irrigation rights of each village was maintained by the Zamindars.
5.8.4 Combination of Gravity flow and Lift Irrigation :
During the height of floods these canals and reservoirs afford a supply merely allowing the water to flow in the
fields through sluices which usually consist of a hollow Tar (palm) tree, the end of which is filled with clay, when it
is intended that the water should be confined. In the canals water is raised to the level of each man’s sluice by a
small temporary bund of earth.
Towards the end of season water must be raised from both reservoir and canals by machinery. The basket
suspended by rope is sometimes used when quantities of water remaining is small; but when the quantity of wate
is considerable, the machine like a canoe is used if the height to which it is to be raised is small, while the pot
raised by lever is preferred when the height is considerable. The trouble attending this is not as great as might be
imagined, because after the fields next to the reservoirs have been filled, the same water is allowed to flow on
others without any additional labour.
5.8.5 Synchronization of Agricultural Activities :
Since the system is entirely dependent on the occurrence of rainfall, the system is supply oriented. Therefore, the
agricultural activities have to be synchronized with he occurrence of rainfall and thereby availability of water in the
system. At the same time the agricultural operations like puddling, transplanting etc. are to be performed quickly
availing the water in the system. The agricultural operation in the beginning and process of irrigating the fields
during crop period has to be planned and co-ordinated systematically in the entire command of the system from
head reach to the tail end, so that, the benefit is distributed equitably.
5.9 Cost of Construction, Operation & Maintenance :
The indigenous irrigation systems of Ahars and Pynes are primarily owned and managed by the community.

15. However, it has all along received the support and patronage of political administrative system. As stated earlier,
the system was in existence since several centuries BC. It was well established and developed during Maurya
Period (300 BC) and is continuing till to date. During British period, significant developments took place in the fiel
of irrigation. But this indigenous irrigation system was not the part of state system; it remained community asset.
When permanent settlement was introduced in eastern India and land was permanently settled with the
Zamindars, they played very pivotal role in the construction, maintenance and operation of the Ahars and Pynes.
Since the land was settled with the Zamindar, the Government had no concern for these work. During Zamindari
period, the responsibilities of construction and maintaining ahars and pynes lay mainly with Zamindars. The
expense both of making and repairing canal (pynes) and reservoirs (ahars) was entirely defrayed by the
Zamindars observes Francis Buchanan in his book “An Account of Bhagalpur District (1810-11)". Farmers also
actively participated in construction and maintenance of the system. They worked under the leadership of local
Zamindars. It might be possible that the Zamindars might have collected a part of agricultural produce as initial
cost of construction of this system. It is more likely that farmers’ labours were utilized for the construction of Ahar
& Pynes. The maintenance of these systems was also done by the participation of the farmers. There was a
collective system known as “Gaom” in which every cultivator had to supply one person per plough to carry out
annual maintenance work. The Zamindar had the responsibilities to fixing and announcing the date of “Gaom”.
5.10 Water Rates :
There is no evidence available for realizing any charges as water rate. Since farmers participated in contributing
labour for construction and maintenance of the system, no water rate was ever collected.
5.11 Participatory Management :
The description of farmer’s involvement in construction and maintenance of the system shows that the people’s
participation in construction, operation and maintenance of the community irrigation system was of the highest

16. order. The farmers have exhibited wonderful example of co-operation among themselves in distributing the water
and sharing the same among themselves. It was due to such a high level of co-operation, that even during
scarcity conditions it could provide partial irrigation, by making very economical use of available water, and save
crops from complete failure; the system rarely failed; and the area as such had never been subjected to famine a
in other areas not having such irrigation system.
6.0 Restoration and Renovation:
6.1 Need:
The need for the restoration of the system can hardly be over emphasized. As a matter of fact it has been badly
delayed, as a result of which the overall development and prosperity of the region has been very adversely
affected. The land of the area is very fertile. The climatic factor and soil are also very conducive. The only
requirement is to develop appropriate measures for irrigation. In view of the overall scarcity of water; drought like
situation prevailing in the region; and the past glorious performance of the traditional irrigation system of ahars
and pynes, hardly there is any scope of any further delay and/ or complacency.
6.2 Approach and Methodology :
While taking steps for improving the existing traditional irrigation system of ahars and pynes, this is to be noted
that the system has deteriorated to such an extent that it has become almost non existent, though it has been
claimed that the system is providing irrigation in about 3.25 lakh ha. Firstly, this figure is not very reliable as there
is not any dependable basis of assessment and secondly, the quality of irrigation even if it is actually provided
may be very poor. Therefore, the immediate task should be restoring the system. Along with the implementation
of first step or after the completion of the first step of restoration of the system, efforts should be made to improve
the quality of irrigation services in term of reliability, adequacy, equitable distribution etc. along with adopting
measures to increase the command area within the scope provided with existing topography and available

17. quantity of water. But the plan of improvement should not stop at this second stage of renovation. It should be
further extended to modernize the system in light of modern concept and technological development in the field o
irrigation and modern scientific intensively irrigated multi crop farming.
6.2.1 Important Existing Features :
The traditional irrigation system of Ahars and Pynes has several very important and interesting features/
characteristics, which distinguish it from the modern irrigation system.
These are as follows:-
(i) Supply oriented system:
The system is supply based and there is no scope of storage. It differs from the modern irrigation
system of the run-of-the river scheme in the sense that supply may dwindle to a very negligible amount or
it may completely dry. Hence, the available water has to be distributed in the entire command in the
shortest possible time, which in turn requires larger discharging capacity of the Pynes compared to the
canal capacity, generally provided in the modern irrigation system. The alignment and levels of the pynes
are such that it works both as irrigation canal as well as the drainage channel. The irrigation is not always
through gravity flow. During low discharge period the water has to be lifted from the pyne for irrigation of
the field. Some times temporary earthern bundhs are put into the pynes to raise the water level to divert
the same to the field to achieve irrigation by gravity flow. The temporary bundh is removed as soon as the
fields are irrigated so that water may be made available for the fields located lower below. These
characteristics have to be kept in view while modernizing the system.
(ii) Community managed system:
As discussed earlier, the system is community managed, notwithstanding the support and the
leadership provided by the Zamindars. In the present socio-agro-economic situation and political system,

18. the community management is not properly functioning; it is completely defunct. Therefore, it is considered
very essential that the old system of community management should be effectively re-established, without
which the optimum benefits from the system, as was prevalent in the past, can not be achieved. It is to be
noted that at present efforts are made to introduce Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) in the
existing irrigation schemes of the state. But it is in very preliminary stage and it is not proving effective as i
suffers from several deficiencies. Therefore, it is considered essential that the system of complete and
effective community management should be re-established at the earliest along with the restoration and
renovation. While re-establishing the system of community management in stead of proceeding on the
pattern of the procedure being followed in case of introduction of PIM in existing major and medium
irrigation system, efforts should be made to revive the old system of “goan” in which labor was provided by
the farmers for undertaking repair and maintenance work. Similarly the system of “Parabandi” for equitable
distribution of water should be re-introduced. This can not be achieved only by good intention, motivation
and persuasion. Legislative and administrative support will be necessary besides technical guidance, in
which NGO along with administrative system can make immense contribution.
(iii) Water Rates :
Another very important feature of the traditional irrigation system of Ahars & Pynes, which
distinguishes it from other modern irrigation system of any category- major, medium & minor, is that no
water rates had been charged ever and it is also not charged at present. Therefore, the next question
arises as to whether water rate should be charged after the system is restored, renovated and modernized
which is expected to be achieved at considerable cost. The point to be considered is that at present the
water rates under existing irrigation system are so low that the revenue realized from the water rates is no
adequate to even meet the cost of maintenance and operation of the system not to speak of the

19. contribution towards recovery of capital cost. In this background it is better not to charge any water rate
from the farmers. But after the completion of the system, the system should be transferred to the farmer’s
organization and the entire responsibilities of repair, maintenance, operation and distribution of water
should be entrusted to them. For this, it is essential that a competent, effective and efficient farmer’s
organization should be established right in the beginning and the organization should be evolved actively i
different processes of planning and construction so that a sense of belongingness and ownership of the
system is developed among the farmers. The department and other agencies of the Government will have
to make concerted efforts for creating and developing farmer’s organizations; will have to provide
necessary infrastructural facilities; will have to provide proper guidance & training for making the farmers
organization capable of discharging the responsibility efficiently and effectively. The farmer’s organization
may have to be given necessary rights & power through appropriate legislation in order to facilitate them to
discharge their responsibilities as the existing laws & rules do not cover the subject properly and
adequately. The farmer’s organization may devise some method for creating a fund, besides the
requirement of annual expenses for maintenance and operation, for special repair or other development
works, when such need arises in future.
6.2.2 Some Important Technical Aspects :
There are several important aspects, which need to be kept into consideration, while planning and implementing
the scheme for restoration, renovation and modernization. These are discussed here under in very brief:
(i) Cropping and Irrigation Intensity:
Bihar has immense potential of increasing agricultural production as it has plenty of plain & fertile
land and sufficient water resources- both surface and ground water. In view of the recommendations of
several commissions and committees appointed by Central and State Governments, the Water Resources

20. Department, Government of Bihar is contemplating to achieve a cropping and irrigation intensity varying
between 230 to 250% in different agro-climatic Sub-Zones of the State. It is envisaged that the restoration
renovation and modernization of ahars & pynes along with several other measures will help in achieving
the above target.
(ii) Integration of Ahars & Pynes with other Systems :
The cropping and irrigation intensity of 230-250% as envisaged by WRD, GOB, includes irrigation
by all categories of irrigation schemes- Major, Medium & Minor as well as from ground water. It is to be
noted that at present the integration of different categories of scheme is completely lacking. It should be
noted that surface water minor irrigation schemes should not be considered as an alternative for the major
and medium irrigation schemes. Rather they should be treated as supplementary to major & medium
irrigation schemes and integrated planning & operation of ahars & pynes (which fall under the categories o
minor irrigation) located in the command of major and medium irrigation schemes should be considered,
where ever possible. This will help in augmenting water resources, providing flexibility in operation and
increasing the irrigation intensity. In case of scanty rain, and storage behind the ahars remaining empty,
the same can be filled with water from major and medium irrigation schemes and may be used for
irrigation.
As discussed earlier, Dickens while planning for Sone Canal System (1855) visualized this concept. He
proposed the irrigation of major kharif crop- paddy by the then existing and well developed traditional
irrigation system of ahars and pynes under normal years and by the proposed Sone Canal System only in
case of failure of ahars & pynes during exceptional scanty rainfall or drought year. But unfortunately, this
could not happen as the traditional irrigation system of ahars & pynes got destroyed during the
construction off Sone Canal System due to carelessness of the engineers. Several of these ahars & pynes

21. still exist in the command of the Sone Canal System and they offer good opportunity for developing and
integrating with Canal System. This will help in conserving water, improving water use efficiency and
quality irrigation services. There is the scope of such development in almost every major & medium
irrigation scheme existing or proposed in South Bihar.
(iii) Conjunctive use of Surface & Ground Water :
The objective of achieving cropping/irrigation intensity of 230 to 250 percent as being envisaged by
WRD, GOB has to be kept in view while planning for Restoration, Renovation & Modernization (RRM) of
ahars & pynes. In this context the conjunctive use of surface and ground water has a very important role to
play. It is relevant to note that even prior to construction of Sone Canal System while the paddy crop durin
Kharif was being irrigated by ahara & pynes, the rabbi crop was being irrigated by ground water through
well. The conjunctive use of surface and ground water in all categories of surface water schemes - major,
medium & minor - is very vital and deserves very serious consideration. This issue is discussed, talked an
advocated very much, but very little is practiced. This issue has several problems like development of larg
number of tube wells, its ownership-private and/or public -, availability of electrical energy, mode of
conjunctive use of ground water with surface water schemes including distribution of water etc. The
present level of development of ground water in the state shows that all these problems can be sorted out
very conveniently. Significant development in the utilization of ground water for irrigation has taken place in
the state. So far about 10.97 lakh private tube wells have been installed in the state through different
schemes including 4.07 lakh installed under recently concluding “Shallow Million Tube wells” and at
present about 27.89 lakh ha area is being irrigated annually in the state from ground water. Already there
is a proposal of installing 4.5 lakh private shallow tube wells under Bihar Farmers Ground Water Irrigation
scheme which is expected to create an additional irrigation potential of 9.0 lakh ha. All these developments

22. will provide a good support for introducing conjunctive use of surface and ground water. The RRM of ahar
and pynes will further improve the scope of conjunctive use of surface & ground water as it will increase
the ground water potential further by the additional recharge available from the storage behind the ahars,
beside the recharge through the large number of pynes and area irrigated from the ahars. The Planning fo
the Restoration of Eastern Gandak Canal (2003) provides a very good example of planning for conjunctive
use of surface and ground water and there by increasing the irrigation intensity considerably.
(iv) Zamindari Bundh:
The flood protection embankments are generally planned, constructed and maintained by WRD in
the state. But during Zamindari period several flood embankments on small rivers near villages /
habitations, just like ahars and pynes for irrigation, were constructed, which still exist. After abolition of
Zamindari system, the Zamindari embankments, as they are called, were transferred to the Revenue
Department along with the ahars and pynes. As in case of ahars and pynes, this zamindari embankment
deteriorated due to lack of proper care and maintenance. Now where as the ahars & pynes have been
transferred to Minor Water Resources Department (MWRD), these zamindari embankments have been
transferred to Water Resource Department, which is overall in charge of flood moderation / control
measures in the state. After transfer of Zamindari embankments to WRD, extensive repair and
maintenance have been undertaken and are still continuing. The important issue in this context, is that
some of these zamindari embankments are acting as ahars and these are performing the dual purpose of
flood protection as well as irrigation. But while undertaking major repair of the zamindari embankments by
WRD, its function as ahar is not appreciated and is completely ignored. Therefore, these zamindari
embankments, which were acting as ahar also and storing water for irrigation called Khazana (treasure) in
local language, loosing these properties. This is also a major loss to the farmers. This should be arrested

23. immediately by establishing better co-ordination between the two Departments of the State Government.
The concept of “Khazana” may be extended for creating channel storage by providing some control
structures in small riverlets on the both banks of which Zamindari bunds are existing and are being
renovated by WRD.
(v) Dovetailing of Different Schemes :
The above discussions very clearly suggest that the present way of functioning separately of the tw
departments of the State Government - Water Resources Department (WRD), which is in charge of major
& medium irrigation projects and flood control/moderation measures and Minor Water Resources
Department (MWRD), which is in charge of minor irrigation schemes including ahars & pynes and ground
water – should be dispensed with. At the field level, very close interaction and co-ordination should be
established. In order of achieve the objective of optimizing the agricultural production with available land
and water resources of the state, including the achieving the cropping/irrigation intensity of 230 to 250
percent, it is considered essential that actual dovetailing of the three different categories of irrigation
schemes-(a) major & medium (b) minor (especially ahar & pynes) and (c) ground water (especially
conjunctive use) – should be planned, implemented and accordingly operated. This will help in achieving
several major objectives like- harvesting and conservation of surface water, augmenting the ground water
by inducing artificial recharging, improving the water use efficiency by providing better flexibility and
reducing the losses of the system.
(vi) Channel Storage :
The major constraint in achieving the ambitious target of cropping/irrigation intensity is the scarcity
of water. Therefore, in order to make the scheme successful measures for augmenting the available water

24. both surface and ground water are considered very essential. Restoration and renovation of ahars and
pynes is surely a positive step in the direction, as this will help in harvesting, conserving and storing
surface water as well as increasing the recharge of ground water. But this will not be enough and other
measures will also be necessary.
The construction of dams is a very popular measure for improving the availability of surface water.
But the lack of suitable site for construction of dam in the state, rules out this alternative. Though a few
dam sites are available, they are located in newly created adjoining state of Jharkhand and the number of
even such sites are very limited which may not be able to meet the demand. Pumping water from Ganga
during lean period is considered as an other alternative. But even the discharge in Ganga during lean
period in Bihar becomes very small; even less than the minimum required from ecological and
environmental considerations besides there is shortage of electrical energy with the view to improve the
water availability in this region apart from the requirement of water to meet the commitment under
international agreement with Bangladesh during lean period. In the background of scarcity of water the
Second Irrigation Commission (GOI 1972) has recommended pumping water from river Sone and storing
the same in low depression of channels of river like Falgu, which has very wide and deep course and
which become almost dry during summer season. Even this alternative has many problems like cost and
energy for pumping besides the construction of canal to carry pumped water. In this context a proposal to
retain the water of late rainy season after peak floods have passed, in the river channel by constructing
series - two to four – barrages along the course of the river, appears technically feasible and economically
viable. It will not present any problem of submergence and/or displacement of population. This will help in
improving the ecological and environmental aspect. The operation of barrages will be managed in such
way that the peak flood will pass unaffected and the natural lean flow will be allowed to flow as usual. Only

25. the surplus discharge of late rainy season (mid September to mid October or November) which goes to the
sea and is wasted, will be retained and stored.
This scheme may, first be tried in Falgu which has the maximum area under ahar & pynes and the
river channel is also quite wide, firm, deep and capable to storing adequate water. Subsequently,
depending on the success of this scheme, similar schemes may be adopted for other rivers of the region.
Depending on the success of such schemes of channel storage these schemes can be extended on
small tributaries of rivers like Falgu, Harohar etc. It may be relevant to note that some of the zimindari
bunds have been constructed on both banks of small rivers. These bunds may also be utilized to conserve
flood water by providing suitable regulation. This will help in augmenting the surface water which is scarce
in the region.
(vii) Artificial recharging of Ground water:
While the storage behind the large number of ahars and channel storage in some of major rivers wi
help in augmenting the ground water by inducing artificial recharging, besides augmenting the availability
of surface water. Measures for artificial recharging of the ground water will also be necessary to achieve
the target of cropping/ irrigation intensity of 230 to 250 percent. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has
already proposed several measures for artificial recharging of ground water in drought prone districts like
Gaya, Jamui etc. depending on the present level of ground water potential and its utilization. With
increased use of ground water the scope of artificial recharge will also increase and this will help in
improving the overall situation. Efforts should be made to lower the existing ground water level by
increased use of ground water during rabi & hot weather and recharge the same during rainy season by
several measures as discussed above so that enough ground water becomes available for next rabi and
hot season crops without affecting the ecology of the region.

26. (viii) Water use Efficiency :
Along with above discussed measures for augmenting the utilizable water resources, measures for
improving the water use efficiency also will have to be taken. Such measures will include an appropriate
mix of some of traditional measures as well as some measures as being advocated and practiced in
modern irrigation system. The measures under the traditional system may include adoption of supply
based and community managed system, reviving the old system of “parabandi”, for equitable distribution
and economical use of water during scarcity etc. The modern measures may include hardware measures
in form of structures for proportionate division of discharge, duckbill weir for maintaining the water level in
pynes (dispensing with the need of constructing temporary cross earthen bund); and software measures
like evolving appropriate operational policy for equitable distribution. The measures under software
category may include the further refinement of the old system of “parabandi” and the community
management in light of provisions under modern method of Warabandi and Participatory Irrigation
Management (PIM).
(ix) Water Balance Study :
A water balance study, which is a necessary part of planning will have to be undertaken, which may
indicate that the schemes are able to achieve the target of 230 to 250 percent cropping / irrigation intensity
or not. The study will also be able to show the gap, in case, the target is not achieved and also indicate the
scope in adjustment / refinement of different measures and processes.
(x) Agricultural Aspects :
So far thoughts have been oriented towards the engineering aspects. But the agricultural aspects
are also equally important. These will include the selection of type of crops and their percentage of area.
Such decision will be guided by the climatic factors, land and soil characteristics, available water resource

27. besides several other socio-agro-economic considerations. At the same time they will greatly influence the
overall water requirement. It may be noted that the proposed cropping/irrigation intensity is adhoc and may
be refined for different areas in light of ground realities. In order to adjust with available water resources
and at the same time with attempts to achieve the high multi cropping intensity, a judicious mix of different
crops having high water requirement crops (like paddy, wheat etc.) and low water requirement crops (like
maize, pulses, oil seeds etc.), value crops like vegetables, will help to overcome the constraint. Water
balance studies with different sets of crops mixes may provide good guidance. The old system of land use
and crop planning as discussed earlier is very relevant and important in this context.
7.0 Modernization:
It is intended to restore and renovate the traditional irrigation system of ahars and pynes. It is also intended to
modernize the system in light of the latest scientific and technological developments in the field of irrigation
engineering and intensively irrigated multi cropping agricultural farming. At the same time the socio-agro-
economic as well as political environment prevailing in the country, state and region will have to be taken into
consideration.
A large number of major & medium irrigation schemes are being modernized in the country. In Bihar also
previously Tribeni Branch Canal (a part of Gandak Project) and Kanchi Weir Scheme (now transferred to
Jharkhand) were modernized. Right now the modernization of Sone Canal System is in advanced stage of
completion. But the results of modernization have not been encouraging. The reports of post performance
evaluation of Tribeni Canal System and Kanchi Weir System show that the performance of both these schemes
has deteriorated after modernization, instead of improving. As regards Sone Canal Modernization Project, results
received so far are also not encouraging; the expected improvements are not visible. Therefore, in this context, it
is proposed to discuss in very brief some of the important aspect/attributes of modernization of irrigation projects

28. before discussing the modernization of ahars and pynes. In view of the importance of modernization a separate
note on Modernization of irrigation project has been prepared separately which applies to all types of irrigation
projects in Bihar besides Ahars & Pynes.
8.0 Measures for Implementation :
8.1 Implementation in stages :
Though the final aim is the modernization of the traditional irrigation system of ahars & pynes, the scheme of
implementation should not jump directly on modernization. Whole process should be implemented in stages
otherwise intended benefits may not accrue. During rush implementation, the finer characteristics of the traditiona
system, which are the essence of the system may be lost and in the end, severe irreversible damages might
result to the system. Therefore, the following three stages should be followed in sequence:
i) Restoration
ii) Renovation
iii) Modernization
8.2 Restoration :
The first stage of restoration should consist of identifying the entire system of a group or groups with a micro or
minor watershed, sub-watershed in a major basin or sub-basin. There are several difficulties in the process. The
system has deteriorated, several components has been encroached as they were not in use since long and there
is no authentic record/map to show the system. It is heartening to note that there were maps showing the system
on Revenue Thana maps (on scale 1”= 2 mile). But these maps are not readily available. On the other hand the
system has become disconnected due to several reasons like deterioration due to remaining out of use since
long, ncroachment by farmers, siltation because of lack of repair etc. Under the circumstances, it is difficult to

29. identify the entire link. Therefore, the approach in this initial stage should consist of:
i) Efforts to locate the map from different possible sources.
ii) Identification on the ground on the basis of existing witness.
iii) Enquiry from local elderly persons.
iv) Applying value judgment to connect the missing links.
With this approach the system should be restored at the earliest. Though it may not cost much money, but it will
require enormous efforts. The stage will consist of two types of parallel activities viz technical and organizational.
8.2.1 Technical Activities :
The first stage will start with activities falling under the technical group but will not remain confined to the technica
activities. The organizational activities should also start side by side and the activities in both the groups should
proceed with hand in hand. The details discussed in the preceding section for identification of the system will form
the part of technical activities. This will include the following:
8 Complete identifications of the system with different sub-system.
8 Preparation of the map showing the complete system along with the command, sub-command of
the sub-system.
8 Undertaking necessary repair to restart the service through the system.
8 To identify the items of major repair and prepare the estimate for renovation of the system.
8.2.2 Survey & Investigation :
Apart from the preparation of map of the existing system in this stage, the detailed survey and investigation for
the modernization of the system have to be taken up during this stage. It may be noted that the topographic
survey and collection of hydrological data are two most important aspects of the preparation of the Detailed
Project Report for Modernization. Both these activities should be start immediately.

30. 8.2.3 Organizational Aspect :
The management by the community is one of the most important characteristics of the traditional irrigation system
of ahars and pynes and this may be considered as “soul” of the system. Therefore, in order to preserve the “soul”
of the system, it is considered important that these unique characteristics should not only be restored but should
be maintained in future. The farmers should be encouraged, motivated, facilitated to organize themselves withou
much interference from outside. Activities under the scheme of Participating Irrigation Management (PIM) are
going on in the state and about 46 number of farmers organizations (Kisan Sinchai Samiti as they are called) are
functioning. About 1.50 lac ha. of irrigated command area have already been transferred to them and they are
managing the same. Several samities are in pipe line for registration. These are managed by Water Resources
Department. But the farmers organizations for ahars & pynes will be managed by Minor Water Resources
Department, which is expected to introduce PIM also in irrigation schemes other than Ahars & Pynes. Therefore,
the first requirement will be to create appropriate organizational infrastructure in the department. The PIM, which
is functioning in the state has several shortcomings and is not proving effective in the state except in Paliganj
Distriutary. Even in Paliganj distributary there is much scope of improvement. Therefore, the experience of the
present PIM may be utilized for these schemes. The important points are: it has to be considered an essential
component of schemes; it has to be done very quickly; it should be done simultaneously with restoration and
should be completed before restoration; and it has to be capable and effective.
8.3 Renovation :
This is transitory stage between restoration and modernization. This stage should be utilized for completing the
remaining part of restoration; bringing restoration to completion. Special attention should be paid to extend the
system to the new area which can be technical brought under the system and care should be taken to see that no
such area which can be brought under the system is left out. During this stage the survey and investigation will

31. continue and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Modernization Project will be prepared. The strengthening of
the farmers organization will continue during this period.
8.4 Modernization :
8.4.1 Important Consideration :
While preparing the DPR for the Modernization Project the following points have to be kept into consideration
besides the guideline prepared by the Central Water Commission (CWC) and measures for achieving the same
should be incorporated in planning, design, implementation and operation:
i) Change in objective from subsistence by protecting the crops from failure to optimization of
agricultural production from the available resources of land and water which are becoming scare
day by day.
ii) Overall scarcity of water due to competing demand in sectors other than irrigation and the expected
reduction in the percentage of water availability for irrigation at the same time increase in demand
for irrigation in more area.
iii) Adopting measures like harvesting & conserving surface water and artificial recharging of ground
water to increase the water availability.
iv) Incorporating measures for improving the water use efficiency and agricultural productivity which ar
very low, by reducing losses and making the irrigation system oriented toward agricultural
productivity ensuring timely and adequate irrigation water.
v) Devising measures both in forms of hardware (like structures) and software (like operating policy)
for equitable distribution of available water.
vi) The target of achieving irrigation intensity varying between 230 to 250% should be kept in view.
vii) The experience in modernization of project like Tribeni Branch Canal and Kanchi Weir Scheme

32. (now in Jharkhand), the performance of which has deteriorated after modernization should also kep
in view.
viii) The following three most important characteristics of the traditional irrigation system of Ahar &
Pynes should be given due importance in modernization.
(a) Community managed,
(b) Supply oriented
(c) No water rate
8.4.2 Detailed Project Report :
For proceeding with the Modernization project a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be required. The DPR for
modernization should be based on very sound and accurate survey and investigation. Lack of topographical map
including contours maps and hydrological data will prove major constraints. Therefore, the survey and
investigation for preparation of contours maps on appropriate scales and observation of hydrological data on
different streams should start immediately without any future delay.
8.4.2.1 Topographical Surveys :
The topographical surveys include three most important components viz.
(a) Preparation of the maps (plan and longitudinal & cross sections) of the existing systems – Ahars
and Pynes
(b) Preparation of the contour map of the area on appropriate scale (may be 1:20,000 and or 1:10,000)
with contour interval of 0.3 metre;
(c) Preparation of regime plan, longitudinal and cross section of natural drainage channels on which th
structures proposed during modernization are to be located.
It may be noted that most of the systems already exist; therefore contours maps will not be required for planning
their layout. But it will help in planning the improvement proposed during modernization. It has also to be noted

33. that for planning and implementation as well as for proper water distribution and water management up-to-date
cadastral map showing the up-to-date and correct boundary of field of individual farmer along with ownership will
also be needed. Scale of 1:2000 (approximately 1”=165- scale of cadastral map) may be quite appropriate.
Adopting Ayacut map as being practiced in Andhra Pradesh, which is more handy because of larger scale and
which shows the farmers field along with irrigation system, may also be considered.
The topographical survey for natural drainages/ rivers and the preparation of DPR for the modernization Project
should be taken as parallel activities. The starting of the preparation of DPR should not wait for the completion of
the maps for the all drainage systems. Rather it should be taken in phases and as soon as the map for one sub-
system is ready, the preparation of the DPR may start. Thus both the activities will proceed simultaneously as
parallel activities, which will save time.
8.4.2.2 Hydrological Data :
It is not expected that observed hydrological data as required for the modernization project will be available.
Therefore, the observation of hydrological data on the natural drainage channels should start immediately.
Collections of useful data even for very small period say 5 to 10 years will take time. The modernization project
may not be kept pending for such time. Therefore, some empirical curve should be developed for assessing wate
availability and flood discharge, which will be needed for the planning and design of modernization project and th
DPR may be finalized on basis of results of such studies. Such curves on regional basis may be developed on th
basis of observed hydrological data which are already available. Subsequently these observed hydrological data
will help to confirm the appropriateness or otherwise of the hydrological curves used in planning of modernization
project and may suggest modification.
8.4.3 Measures under Modernization :

34. The measures proposed to be adopted during modernization project will include the following two important
components viz
a) Structural Measures
b) Non-Structural Operational Measures
4.3.1 Structural Measures:
These will include structures across and along the system for controlling, regulating, measuring, diverting and
distributing water in the command as follows:-
Controlling Structures across the natural streams:
Controlling structures in the form of barrage or gated weir will be required to be constructed across
the natural streams. They will be in series along the length of the natural stream and one structure may
control more than one off-taking channels. These may be fully or partly grated structure depending on the
requirement. Apart form controlling the flow for diverting to off-taking channels (pynes) these structures
(especially barrages) may be utilized for conservation of water in form channel storage.
ii) Spillways:
Proper spillway will have to be constructed for every Ahar in order to avoid breach. The spillway wil
be constructed in accordance with the hydrological design of its discharge. The spillway will generally be
ungated but in case of requirement of the situation gate may also be provided, if required at particular site.
But generally gated spillway should be avoided.
Structures at the head of off-taking channel:
These structure will be like head works of off-taking canal from the control work on the natural
drainage or like the head works of the branches, distributaries or even minors as the size of pynes may be
much smaller than major distributaries or even major minors. It may be noted that at present there are no

35. head works for pynes. But such head works will now becomes essential for conservation of water
proposed to be stored in the channel through the control structures proposed to be constructed across the
natural channels. Such head works will have to be provided at the head of all the pynes, even if it takes-of
independently without any control structure on the natural drainage.
iv) Outlets:
At the off-takes of a sub-pyne, off-taking from main pyne or even pynes of smaller size, which may
take-off from ahars or natural channel, outlet structures will have to be provided. These outlets may be a
modern modular outlet and will be ungated so that there will be no need of manual operation.
v) Duckbill Weir:
In order to maintain the full supply level in the pynes Duckbill Weirs will be constructed along the pynes at
appropriate interval. This may obviate the present practice of construction of temporary earthen bunds to
raise water level in the pynes for diversion in sub-pynes or in the fields. The construction of Duckbill Weirs
may also be required along sub-pynes.
vi) Measuring Structures :
Measuring structure in form of Parshal flume will be required to be constructed atleast one in each major
pyne near its off-take for accurate measurement of discharge which will facilitate the monitoring of
distribution of water.
8.4.3 Non Structural Measures :
The non-structural measures will be the software in the form of Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM),
operating policy etc. This will include introduction of old system of “Parabandi”. It may be noted that the system o
“Parabandi” does not exist at present, through it was very much prevalent in the past.
The measures under this category may include several items, some of them are discussed below in brief :

36. i) Organization under PIM :
The Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) is being introduced in existing irrigation system in
Bihar. This is being done under the provision under Bihar Irrigation Act 1996 The most important
example of PIM in Bihar is Paliganj Distributary, which has been appreciated very much at State as
well as national level. The procedure of introduction of PIM in Bihar has been turned as “Bihar
Model” due to its unique features which distinguishes it from the procedure adopted for introduction
of PIM in other States of the country. However, the progress and achievement in to field of PIM in
Bihar is far from satisfactory. This requires improvement. This is to be noted that the introduction of
PIM in Ahar–Pynes System should not be considered as an alternative arrangement for the
management. Rather it should be considered as the only method of management and as such the
organization for PIM much be created and established in advance, well before even the restoration
is done. As a matter of fact the Participatory Irrigation Management should be changed to People
Irrigation Management, as in this case unlike other major / medium and / or minor irrigation, the
entire system is going to be managed entirely by people in the same fashion as it was done when
the system was at the peak of its glory during the beginning of the 20
th
Century. For this concerted
and serious efforts will be required to be undertaken on all fronts–legislative, administrative,
technical and at farmers level, in accordance with time bound programme. Any delay or mismatche
in this may lead to be failure of the scheme as the community management is considered the “soul
and spirit” of the system, which was at the root of its success during old days.
ii) Manuals and Trainings :
Since the system is not in operation at present, farmers are not in know of the rules for its
maintenance and operation ; therefore, there will be urgent need to prepare detailed manuals for

37. operation and management of the system including the manual for water management. Again the
older concept of supply orientation and community management are going to be essentially revived
to which even the present engineers and workers of the department are not well aware. Therefore,
there will be need for elaborate training to engineers and technical worker of the department as wel
as the office bearers of the organizations under PIM and farmers at large.
iii) Parabandi
The proposed manuals will include several items and will also include the method for equitable
distribution of available water among different regions / sub region, systems / sub-systems, villages
group of villages and individual village and above all among the farmers of the village. This is very
essential that instead of trying to copy the presently existing system of “Warabandi” as prevelant in
Pubjab, Hariyana and Western Uttar Pradesh, the old system of “Parabandi” which was basically
very similar to “Warabandi” should be revived and should be called by its same old name of
“Parabandi”. The preparation of the manual must be emphasized and must not be ignored in view o
the fact that there is no manuals for operation, maintenance and water management for the existing
major important irrigation projects like Kosi & Gandak although they are in operation since more
than 40 years, and one of the reasons for the deterioration of the system has been identified as
faulty operation in absence of proper manual for operation and maintenance.
iv) Inter-action with agriculture :
When any new irrigation system is introduced, there is general tendency to grow paddy during khar
season and wheat during rabi season, both of which require heavy doses of irrigation water for thei
growth and development. Since there is overall scarcity of water in this region, the selection of crop
and the distribution of area between heavy water consuming crops like paddy and wheat and other

38. crops like maize, pluses, oil-seeds, vegetables requiring less water, but contributing significantly to
the agriculture production, will be a major issue and will have significant impact on the over all
performance and success of the system. Therefore, in order to make proper selection of crops in
light of available water, prevailing level, topography and soil characteristics, there will be need of
inter-action with farmers by the agricultural scientists for suggesting appropriate and suitable crops
and motivating and persuading the farmers to adopt the same. This is not going to be an easy task
especially in view of the fact that on one hand inter-action and / or co-ordination between
agriculture and irrigation is completely lacking at present in the existing irrigation system, and on the
other hand there is complete lack of communication between government officials and farmers.
9.0 Role of NREGA :
The introduction of NERGA offers a very good opportunity for executing several works related to
development works. This can be utilized for execution of earthwork involved in the restoration, renovation and
modernization of Ahar & Pyne as envisaged by the State Government. As a matter of fact, a large number of
schemes, relating to the different components of various Ahar – Pynes, are already under execution. But these
schemes are being executed without any planning; without any reference to the level and size; without releasing
the role and inter-connection of the individual components with respect to the overall sub-system / system. Such
haphazard work is bound to cause serious damage to the system which may prove irreparable and irreversible.
Therefore, there is need to be cautious and practice restrain. Let the mistakes and/or mischief committed by the
engineers during implementation of Sone canal system during 19
th
century, which damaged the existing system o
‘Ahars-Pynes’ and sabotaged the idea of Dickens of integrated use of existing Ahars-Pynes and proposed Sone
canal system, be-repeated during 21rst century in implementation