Strengthening the institutional framework within irrigation cascades has been identified as a key requirement for the effective management of cascade systems. Accordingly, the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) is establishing Cascade Management Committees (CMCs) comprising Farmer Organizations and local-level officials to manage water, land, and related natural resources at the cascade level. The overarching objective of the CMCs is to restore and improve watershed systems through integrated management, while promoting sustainable use of water and natural resources to enhance the living standards of rural communities.
Establishment
of CMCs in the Southern Province
Taking
the initiative at the provincial level, the Deputy Project Director’s Office of
CSIAP in the Southern Province organized an awareness programme on CMCs, which
was held recently at the Divisional Secretariat Auditorium in Tissamaharama.
Under the project, CSIAP plans to establish 60 CMCs across the project area,
including 20 in the North Western Province, 10 in the North Central Province,
10 in the Northern Province, seven in the Eastern Province, seven in the
Southern Province, and six in the Uva Province.
Importance
of the Cascade System
The
meeting was presided over by Mr. P. H. Sumanasekara, District Secretary of
Hambantota. A special lecture was delivered by Mr. Prabath Vithana, former Head
of the Water Management Division of the Department of Agrarian Development and
retired Chief Engineer, who emphasized the social, economic, and environmental
importance of the cascade system and its role in sustainable rural development.
Multi-Stakeholder
Participation
The
awareness programme saw the participation of approximately 120 participants,
including heads of line agencies, field officers, and other relevant
stakeholders. Their active engagement reflected a strong commitment to
strengthening cascade management institutions and promoting sustainable water
and land resource management to improve environmental conditions and rural
livelihoods.
By R.P.M. Dissanayake, Institutional Development & Capacity Building Specialist, SP, CSIAP
