4.2 Characteristics of the systems observed Typology of trade-off between hydropower and irrigation 1. Fewa Irrigation systems are old systems but hydropower plant was installed later on due to topography benefit. Both systems were managed by the government agencies. NEA operates the hydropower but there is no system of revenue sharing between hydropower and irrigation systems. 2. Seti Hydropower and Seti Irrigation system (Kaski- Pokhara) belong to government. From the Seti canal, other hydropower like BiJaypur and Task also are getting water. Irrigation canal is managed and maintained by Department of Irrigation. Recently, the dam of Seti canal was damaged. With the investment of NRS. 50 million rupees, the dam is being rehabilitated. Irrigation command area is changing from agriculture land to other purpose. 3. BiJaypur Irrigation system gave permission for installation of hydropower taking advantage of the fall of water. This initiative was taken by private sector. It is not clear how the benefit is being shared between DOI and Hydropower. 4. Andhi khola – private sector promoted for both irrigation and hydropower. There was strong mandate for benefit sharing between local people and central grid power distribution. 5. Jhimuruk – private sector, already many irrigation systems in existence, benefit sharing, negotiation with local beneficiaries and irrigators, Agreements were made for water release for irrigation purpose during lean period. Negotiations with the local people for mitigation program undertook. 6. 6.2 MW Puwa khola Hydropower with 3.2km long headrace tunnel, water availability between Puwa khola and Mai khola reduced by 2.3 m3/sec which has affected Lamduwali Puwagung Irrigation System. A number of improvement programs were undertaken to help the existing irrigation systems. 7. Batar irrigation system was impacted by Devighat proJect. JICA intending for rehabilitation of Batar Irrigation system negotiated with NEA for sharing the infrastructures of Trisuli hydropower project to transport irrigation water across Trisuli River. NEA did not agree accepted the proposal and Bater people were deprived of irrigation system. 8. Rani Jamara and Kulariya have installed 4MW hydropower near Katasse of Kulariya system. DOI tries to take advantage of the topography for hydropower generation. Many terms and conditions are yet to be made clear (licensing, revenue collection, management of the hydropower, etc.) 9. Sunsari Morang Irrigation ProJect (SMIP) has hydropower of 4 MW from Koshi river to irrigation system. The powerhouse is managed by NEA, Power required for drazer operation will be supplied by the power house free of cost. The system was built by DOI and handed over to NEA. 10. Jhankri khola hydropower and irrigation at head section of Khimti power house, Dolkha, Khimti Rural Electrification Cooperative (KREC) is managing 11 the system. This micro proJect of 600 kW is constructed with the financial support of Khimti Hydropower ProJect for the use of power during Khimti Hydropower intake construction. Later on the project was handed over to KREC. In Jhakre Micro hydropower proJect, there are two irrigation systems. One is before the headwork of Jhakre Project and other is after headworks. The regulation of water is managed by Jhakre ProJect. 11. Myrsangdi Hydropower and Rainastar irrigation. This irrigation is from Chepe khola, tributary of Marsyangdi, The construction of Rainastar irrigation has effected the potential power generation. This system has 3500 square kilomer as its catchment area. Hence, water within this are will be the water right of Marsyangdi sysem of Abu Khairani. DOI is planning to have irrigation facility development in Tyangling tar which is located before the dam of this hydropower. DOI is planning to have pump irrigation development in Marsyangdi corridor by usining Marsyangdi water. Is it allowed? 12. Reservoir type hydropower: It has different feature. Such system can make decision where to use water economically, whether in irrigation use or generate more power. Who manages the reservoir, such decisions would be made. Trade-off of hydropower and irrigation will be decided by the manages of reservoir. 13. ChaurJhari Irrigation system and hydropower, 500kW hydropower, of Rukum District. It was operated by Cooperative. It is no longer functioning at present. 14. Pharping Hydropower (500 kW), oldest powerhouse in Nepal over 100 years old, It is considered 2nd hydropower in Asia. There was system sharing of water in hydropower, irrigation and water supply even during those days. During paddy cultivation time, water gets priority to irrigation and hydropower later on. It was reported that there is written agreement between users of irrigation users and hydropower producer) 15. Bheri-Babai Diversion Project. This project diverts 40m3/s water from Bheri river to Babai through 12km long tunnel at Chure range. This water will generate 48MW electricity and irrigate 51,000 ha round the year irrigation in Banke and Bardiya districts. The agriculture production will bring about 3.1 billion NRS worth of agriculture production. The income of hydropower will be substantial. 16. Dordi hydropower of Lamjung made written agreement with the water users of Rampurphant irrigation system to make dam across the Dordi Stream in order to raise the water level so that irrigation water can go through the side intake constructed by DOI. 17. Khudi Hydropower has no impact on irrigation. It is basically for hydropower generation 18. Tanuhu High Dam Company has 140 MW capacity of hydropower generation. This is reservoir type system. 17 km long water ponding takes place and backWater will reach up to Bhimad. Around Bhimad and Rishing phant, about 200 ha irrigation facilities could be improved. But the Dam 12 proJect does not have provision for irrigation development. Dam is concerned only for energy production. 19. Khopasi Hydropower project has about 200 ha irrigated area before water reaches the powerhouse. The canal leading water to powerhouse has 7 outlets for irrigation in the channel. 20. Mardi hydropower Project: Mardi hydropower (4.6MW) shows the current trend in hydropower sector of skimping on hydrological analysis. As a result, it was decided later to divert from two different downstream rivers such that adequate power is produced during the dry season. The two rivers- Seuti and Thadey khola had their own farmer managed irrigation systems prior to the construction of hydropower. These irrigation systems are observed to have been profusely impacted as these canals face water availability issues and have given rise to conflicts. Mardi hydropower Project has about 50 ha irrigated area between weir and dam. This system takes water from three rivers. The proJect has provided three outlets for irrigation in the paddy season for Mardi bang and one outlet from penstock pipe for Saiti Ghatta for irrigation round the year. However there is no enough water for paddy cultivation in Saiti Ghatta during wet season as the volume of water from outlet is not enough for all the farmers. Ridi 2.4 MW hydropower project has about 20 ha of irrigated area between dam and the powerhouse. There are five irrigation canals: three for Gulmi and two for Palpa district. The proJect has provided two outlets from the desilting basin for one canal and concrete dam downstream to feed four canals. The proJect is providing some percentage of maintenance cost for the canals every year. 5. OBSERVATIONS FROM THE RECONNAISSANCE STUDY a. Interrelation in benefit sharing between hydro and irrigation It is found, on many sites, that good benefit sharing between irrigation and hydropower can be done. Mostly, hydropower proJects can complement in improving irrigation infrastructure and introducing new technologies like lift irrigation systems. However, there is need to plan about this before project implementation takes place. (Tanahu High dam ProJect is under construction) b. Negotiation about water sharing between hydropower and Irrigation On many occasions, negotiations have made the benefit sharing became possible. The examples are of BiJayapur, Dordi, Andhi khola, and Khopasi. c. Catchment area and water right issue While issuing license for hydropower proJect, catchment area and water quantity for the proJect is defined. How is that monitored and supervised is not clear? How is the flow of river is regulated? In most of the systems, 10% river flow is hardly maintained during dry season. 13 d. Issues in new irrigation Development in Marsyangdi river corridor Once the catchment area is assigned for the hydropower project, other activities are not allowed in the catchment area. Even for the new hydropower development in the same catchment area, the prevalent laws do not save the water right of the existing project. There was conflict for construction of Rainastar Irrigation System from Chepe River which is one of the tributaries of Marshyangdi river. Department of Irrigation is planning to develop irrigation in the Marsyangdi corridor where it is estimated to have 20,000 ha tar land. Will the hydropower companies allow the use of Marsyangdi river water for this irrigation development? One has to see how the water use priority set by Water Resources Act is being implemented between hydropower, irrigation and drinking water supply. e. Sectoral Approach on investment decisions It has been sectoral approach in investment. Hydropower people are concerned only for energy generation. However, it is found that irrigation development is usually accompanied