Approaches

Protected gullies – a traditional sustainable land management practice [Nepal]

Kholse: eak paramparagat digo bhu-bewasthapan bidhi (Main Contributro: Sabita Khanal, Kathmandu University)

approaches_2666 - Nepal

Completeness: 75%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)
Kathmandu University (KU) - Nepal
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)
ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) - Nepal

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

01/03/2013

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2. Description of the SLM Approach

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Protected gullying is a sustainable land management practice initiated and maintained by the traditional community approach; it is based on indigenous knowledge and uses only locally available materials.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

Aims / objectives: Sustainable land management aims to prevent soil erosion and to increase productivity; it can take on different forms depending on the exigencies of the terrain.

Methods: In Kabhrepalanchok District, where the slope of the land is not too steep, farmers use gullies controlled using indigenous techniques to protect fertile agricultural land, to minimize erosion, and to help prevent landslides near villages.
For more than two hundred years, land users in jagidol (jagi=rice, dol=gully) villages practiced gully control and they have developed innovative methods for deployment and maintenance of gullies. Periodically, the whole community is involved in discussions for planning and implementation of new measures, but for the most part only routine repairs are needed and the individual farmers whose properties border the gullies shoulder the main responsibility for maintaining them. When severe flooding events cause many gullies to collapse, materials are collected locally and the whole village cooperates in the rebuilding. Both men and women are involved; men usually help with the heavy digging when new gullies are established or during crises when many gullies collapse at once and women are involved in the day-to-day maintenance of the gullies. Communities in villages higher up in the hills have used this approach for a long time; their gullies are more mature and well-entrenched and are reinforced by mature bio-engineering measures. Gullies in villages situated lower down the slope are usually more recently established and typically still require regular maintenance.
The jagidol village community, the Newari guthi (religious group) in the area, and the Hindus who worship the snake god Nagdevata and Shivadevata along the stream banks are particularly conscientious in maintaining the gullies that border the shrine(s). In this example, maintenance of the gullies is a collective effort through social networks.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

Country:

Nepal

Further specification of location:

Sharada Batase VDC, Kabhrepalanchok

2.7 Type of Approach

  • traditional/ indigenous

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The Approach focused mainly on SLM with other activities (Religious, cultural and ecological significance)

To ensure the maintenance of the system of gullies that acts to help prevent soil erosion and protect against flooding. During the rainy season the gullies channel water away, and during the dry season they can be modified to collect water for irrigation. Maintenance is especially important during the rainy season because when water is not channelled many terraces can collapse simultaneously and the ensuing landslide can threaten the stability of the entire village.

The SLM Approach addressed the following problems: This approach suffers from a lack of institutional infrastructure. Since the group that maintains the gullies is not registered as a conservation team or an organization, it is not entitled to technical or financial support of any kind from government or non-governmental organizations. The research conducted by the community is not documented anywhere, it is passed on by word of mouth. A shortage of labour (or labour saving devices) is a persistent constraint in the maintenance of the gullies.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

availability/ access to financial resources and services
  • hindering

For the labour needed to perform the maintenance. During the busy parts of the farming year there is little or no labour available for land management projects.

Treatment through the SLM Approach: Sustainable land management projects are scheduled for the dry season when farmers have fewer farming-related obligations.

legal framework (land tenure, land and water use rights)
  • enabling

The existing land ownership, land use rights / water rights moderately helped the approach implementation: It is generally accepted that since the farmer whose land borders the gullies gets the most benefit by having access to the water, that it is his responsibility to maintain and repair them. In times of crises, when gullies collapse beyond his individual ability to repair them, he can ask the community for help.

  • hindering

The landowner is mostly responsible

Treatment through the SLM Approach: The landowner is encouraged by others in the community to maintain the gullies that border of his/her land

knowledge about SLM, access to technical support
  • hindering

Farmers are not fully aware of the best gullying practices

Treatment through the SLM Approach: New methods and the use of new materials can be learned from other projects implemented in nearby areas

other
  • hindering

Financial: To purchase tools and equipment needed for maintenance activities

Treatment through the SLM Approach: Local materials are used; the community makes in-kind and (occasionally) in-cash donations

3. Participation and roles of stakeholders involved

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

  • local land users/ local communities

Generally the farmer owning the land that borders on the gullies maintains them.

Usually the gullies are dug by young men. Men are also involved when gullies collapse and heavy digging is needed. Women conduct routine maintenance throughout the year.

If several stakeholders were involved, indicate lead agency:

The elders in the community are the repositories of traditional knowledge and best practices on gullying. The community discusses with them and together they decide on a plan of action that best suits the existing conditions. The solution is usually implemented by the men during the dry season and the women maintain the gullies during the rainy season.

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach
Involvement of local land users/ local communities Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation self-mobilization The community as a whole decides when it needs to initiate sustainable land management in order to prevent erosion, to increase the amount of available farmland, and to protect the village from landslides.
planning self-mobilization The community plans to dig gullies during the dry season; during the monsoon they plant grasses whose roots help to anchor the structures.
implementation self-mobilization The land users implement protective measures during the times when they are not actively farming; they use all local materials
monitoring/ evaluation self-mobilization Gullies are monitored routinely as part of normal farming activities; the gullies are maintained and repaired as needed.
Research none

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:
  • land users alone (self-initiative)
Explain:

Decisions on the method of implementing the SLM Technology were made by by land users* alone (self-initiative / bottom-up)

4. Technical support, capacity building, and knowledge management

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?
  • no

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

bio-physical aspects were regular monitored by land users through measurements; indicators: Gullies are regularly monitored by the land users but there is no formal reporting; the community observes the evolution of the approach

socio-cultural aspects were regular monitored by land users through observations; indicators: When there are temples or shrines near the gullies, these are also places of worship for Nagadevta (the snake god) and Shivadevata. The villagers make a special effort to maintain the gullies.

Continuity of the approach aspects were regular monitored by land users through observations; indicators: The community has for generations used gullying as a practice for sustainable land management.

There were few changes in the Approach as a result of monitoring and evaluation: The practice has not changed significantly for generations; however, the use of new materials and techniques can be observed in communities farther downhill where the practice is a more recent innovation.

5. Financing and external material support

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:
  • < 2,000
Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Approach costs were met by the following donors: local community / land user(s): 100.0%

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

No

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

  • none
 
If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:
  • voluntary

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

6. Impact analysis and concluding statements

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

Did the Approach help land users to implement and maintain SLM Technologies?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Gullying helps to reduce the incidence of erosion, landslides, and floods as a result of which the dwellings in the village are more stable and everyone enjoys a greater sense of security.

Did the Approach empower socially and economically disadvantaged groups?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly
Did other land users / projects adopt the Approach?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

There are a few incidences where farmers from neighbouring valleys have observed the gullying and have implemented similar sustainable land management measures in their own villages.

Did the Approach lead to improved livelihoods / human well-being?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

the water and soil conservation afforded by the gullies means that there is more arable land available for quality crop production. More abundant crops ensure a marked improvement in the health and wellbeing of the whole community.

Did the Approach help to alleviate poverty?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Farmers can now produce more crops so that families have more food available and can even earn some cash income by selling some of their excess produce. The entire village has benefited from this approach and everyone is better off.

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

  • increased production

creating better soil conditions and making water available for irrigation

  • increased profit(ability), improved cost-benefit-ratio

when better quality farm land is available and when farmer have access to water for irrigation more

  • Risk Minimization

flooding, soil erosion (runoff), and landslides are a constant threat for hillside farmers.

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?
  • uncertain
If no or uncertain, specify and comment:

In recent times there is a shortage of local labour and volunteers. Some form of subsidy or external aid will be needed to support this land management practice and keep it sustainable. With funding, the village can purchase better materials and create longer lasting structures which need less maintenance.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The community works together for the benefit of all. (How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Continue to support the community in their traditional land management practices.)
Everyone's suggestions, including those of nearby communities, are taken into serious consideration when planning sustainable land management.
(How to sustain/ enhance this strength: Continue to promote a regard for others sharing the same landscape)

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
There is no formal planning and no contact with either the local authorities or potential funding agencies for conservation work Formalize planning and implementation and become recognized as a legitimate conservation group.
Farmers are leaving the area in search of paid employment. New actors are moving into the area and the larger community is changing. There are recurrent incidents of land use change such as brick factories moving into the area. The government can institute zoning to regulate what land is deemed for cultivation only.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys
  • interviews with land users

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