The CSIAP takes the initiative to develop 53 Cascade Management Plans

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) plans to develop 53 scientific Cascade Management Plans (CMP) based on the issues observed in relation to hydrology, geology, geography, livelihood and economic connections in the command areas of the project. This plan will also take into account the existing and future constructions, the status of the ecosystem, cropping patterns in the rice field and highlands, irrigation management issues, and the command area connections.  A new set of maps developed based on this information is used in the cascade profile.

In order to execute CMPs, the CSIAP establishes 53 Cascade Management Committees (CMC) in the Districts of Kurunegala, Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Monaragala, and Hambantota in the six provinces where the CSIAP is being implemented. The CMC consists of beneficiaries of the cascade and officers representing different agencies to jointly manage the natural resources of forest, soil, water and land.

A special meeting chaired by Mr. Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, to discuss the establishment of CMCs and Development and Implementation of CMPs was held yesterday (10the) with the participation of Dr. Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of the CSIAP(joined remotely), Athula Senaratne, Senior Agriculture Specialist, Mr. S. Manoharan, Senior Consultant, Mr. Sarath Wickramaratne, Consultant, World Bank, Ms. Lathisha Liyanage, Additional Secretary (Development), Ms. Renuka Rathnayake, Director (Development), Eng, R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, Subject Specialists and Officers of the CSIAP. The first CMP written based on Babawa Cascade in Hambantota was handed over to the Secretary of Agriculture. Please click Images to see more photos of the event.

Photographs by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku, PMU, CSIAP