The document discusses a study on water resource management and irrigation in Ranchi District of Jharkhand, India. The objectives of the study were to assess how irrigation schemes have impacted tribal communities, examine different approaches to irrigation like dams and canals, and explore why some water-based livelihood initiatives have succeeded while others have failed. The study found that irrigated agriculture has benefited tribes with access by allowing them to grow multiple crops and increase yields. However, many tribes have not adopted irrigation due to small land holdings, lack of funds, and insufficient irrigation facilities. The document recommends improving water storage and management through initiatives like check dams, lift irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and ensuring local community management of irrigation projects.

1. Paper for International Seminar on Humanity and Applied Social Sciences ISRAA 2008, 7-9 December, Bidisa, W.B. Session: Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Livelihood: Needed Reforms Cultivation in Jharkhand: Need for Management of Water and Land Resources. Dr. V. P .Sharma Principal Researcher cum Project Director

3. MAP RANCHI Ranchi District

4. OBJECTIVE-1 The main premise of the research is that suitable agro-climatic conditions allow for a significant up-scaling of agricultural intensification led by expansion of irrigation in the Central Indian Tribal Highlands and this will also lead to significant poverty impact. But this has not happened.

5. OBJECTIVE-2 The study will explore what has worked and what has not, in promoting water based livelihood initiatives reviewing the past and current practices of Water Resources Management in Ranchi District.

6. OBJECTIVE-3 Assessment of different approaches – major dams, medium dams, minor irrigation's, experiences of tribal and management options for increased livelihood security within the target communities.

7. OBJECTIVE-4 The study will examine and compare tribal villages to learn how the tribal are impacted upon by irrigation schemes in Ranchi districts with special emphasis on Women, particularly tribal women.

8. METHODS USED Secondary data collected from different sources and libraries. Listing of MI &LI irrigation programmes in the district . Research areas located on map in a way to represent the district holistically. Two rounds discussions and a workshop was organised with social scientists. Research questions finalised and used.

9. A focus group discussion at village in Ranchi District

10. FGD with Women members of village

11. Interview with Munda Chief at village

18. Kanchi River project near Aradih village

19. Canal rrigation in Tamar Block

20. Paddy crop under irrigated agriculture at Railadih

21. River dam at Itthe village in Murhu block

22. Irrigation Canal

23. River dam at Raisa in Bundu block of Ranchi district

24. Lift Irrigation Project at Podadih Village

25. Well Irrigation by diesel pump at Hindevilli

26. Vegetable crops grown under well Irrigation Hindevilli

27. Women Harvesting the Paddy crop at Ormanjhi

28. Astaran Devi at Check Dam site

29. RESULT Irrigated agriculture benefited tribal in command area in Ranchi District. They converted their TANR land into DON-3. There is a shift from monocropping to multicropping. Chemical fertilisers are used now. Yield of cultivated land gone up. Interest towards Rabi crop increased. Socio-economic condition improved.

30. CAUSES OF NON-PARTICIPATION Many tribal communities have not adopted irrigated agriculture. Nominal land holdings and paucity of fund. Insufficient irrigation facilities in the district. Irregular supply of water in canals. Non functional government schemes. Tribal youth moving out to urban areas in search of job.

31. Recommendations: There is an urgent need for management of water Resources in the area for cultivation. The following steps should be taken on urgent basis to enhance the Economic conditions of people of the area at the block level by the government. Tank and well irrigation have great prospect in the Munda & Oraon areas. It is remarkable to note that water table in this area passes just below the Don land. The govt. drugged a good number of tanks on Tanr land. But these tanks become dry just after the rainy season and practically they are useless for villagers.

32. Water from these tanks and reservoirs can be made accessible to the Tanr land with the help of pumps which should be provided by the govt. on easy credit system and installment payment. Some check dams and lift irrigations established by NGO Ram Krishna Mission in Angara block are good example how people are using it for benefit through people’s participation. The yield has not only gone up but double crops are raised. These facilities are functioning well where as govt. constructed schemes have become non functional.

33. The minor irrigation projects have failed in the area because the plans of such tanks could not take the local hydraulic condition into consideration. Some check dams constructed by Govt. funding through NGOs functioned well till the project period under ITDP schemes but become non functional after intervention period. Such projects should be handed over properly to village committees after proper training into management procedures. It is worthwhile to make arrangement for the storage of water on plain area it self through rain water harvesting Some rivers can be dammed, some reservoirs can be made in the vicinity of natural wells and tanks etc. can be dug in relation to the water table.

34. Thank You