Role of Water Rights in Farmer-Managed Hill-Irrigation Systems

Irrigation Systems Ramesh Chand Kuhls are the mainstay of hilt irrigation in Himachal Pradesh, For their efficient and equitable performance it is imperative that their beneficiary farmers be accorded well defined and legally enforceable water rights. Conferments of such water rights by the state in the past, at the time of revenue settlements, has encouraged the formation of water users associations which help in conflict resolution among beneficiaries as also in effective maintenance of kuhls. While government support for major repairs and channel modernisation is welcome, the state needs to do much more than simply offering financial assistance for kuhl development. It should take the initiative to confer water rights also.