restoring traditional cascading tank systemsrestoring traditional cascading tank systems for...

Restoring Traditional Cascading Tank Systems

IUCN programme on Restoring Traditional Cascading Tank Systems Technical Note # 1

For enhanced rural livelihoods and environmental services in Sri Lanka: Project Implementation Plan

IUCN programme on Restoring Traditional Cascading Tank Systems Technical Note # 1

Restoring Traditional Cascading Tank SystemsFor enhanced rural livelihoods and environmental services in Sri Lanka

The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do

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The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN

Published by: IUCN, Sri Lanka Country Office

Copyright: © 2015 IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature and

Natural Resources

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Citation: IUCN (2015). Project Implementation Plan. IUCN programme

on Restoring Traditional Cascading Tank Systems Technical Note #

1. Colombo: IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature,

Colombo, Sri Lanka & Government of Sri Lanka. ivi + 34 pp.

ISBN: ISBN: 978-955-0205-31-8

Lead contributor: Dr. P. B. Dharmasena, Consultant, IUCN

Cover photo: View of Aluthgama Tank, Naalin Perera © IUCN;

Layout by: Padmi Meegoda

Produced by: IUCN, Sri Lanka Country Office

Available from: IUCN, Sri Lanka Country Office

53, Horton Place Colombo 7, Sri Lanka Phone: ++94-011-2694094, 2682418, Fax: 2682470 http:// iucn.org/srilanka

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Country: Sri Lanka

Project Title: Restoring Traditional Cascading Tank Systems for Enhanced Rural Livelihoods and Environmental Services in Sri Lanka

Project Duration: January 2013 to March 2016

Total Project Cost: USD 500,000

Donor Agency: HSBC Water Programme

Implementing Agency: IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature

Implementing Partners:

□ Department of Agrarian Development

□ Farmer organisations

Project Location: Kapriggama in the Rambewa DS Division of the Anuradhapura District

iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

List of acronyms and abbreviations ............................................................................ ii

1. BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................... 1

1.1. District context .................................................................................................... 1

1.2. Sectoral Context .................................................................................................. 2

2. RATIONALE .............................................................................................................. 5

2.1. Problems and issues identified ............................................................................ 5

2.2. Stakeholders and target beneficiaries .................................................................. 6

2.3. Links to national development goals and strategic objectives .............................. 7

2.4. IUCN’s expertise and experience ......................................................................... 7

3. EXPECTED RESULTS .............................................................................................. 9

3.1. Impact ................................................................................................................ 9

3.2. Outcomes and outputs ....................................................................................... 10

3.3. Project activities ................................................................................................ 11

3.4. Sustainability ..................................................................................................... 11

3.5. Environmental impact ........................................................................................ 12

3.6. Gender, vulnerability and equity issues .............................................................. 13

3.7. Risks and assumptions ...................................................................................... 14

4. IMPLEMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS ............................... 15

4.1. Institutional framework, coordination and partnerships ...................................... 15

4.2. Technical and operational support .................................................................... 15

4.3. Implementation strategy .................................................................................... 16

4.4. Collaboration with other organizations ............................................................. 16

4.5. Procurement ..................................................................................................... 17

4.6. Logical framework ............................................................................................. 18

4.7. Work plan .......................................................................................................... 25

4.8. Monitoring and reporting .................................................................................... 29

4.8.1. Project activity monitoring ...................................................................... 29

4.8.2. Results-based monitoring ...................................................................... 29

4.9. Communication and visibility .............................................................................. 30

ANNEX I BUDGET .................................................................................................... 31

iv

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ADZAP - Anuradhapura Dry Zone Agriculture Project

AI - Agriculture Instructor

ASC - Agrarian Service Centre

CBO - Community Based Organisation

CDD - Community Driven Development

DAD - Department of Agrarian Development

DAP&H - Department of Animal Production and Health

DHS - Department of Health Services

DI - Department of Irrigation

DL - Low country dry zone

DO - Development Officer

DoA - Department of Agriculture

DS - Divisional Secretariat

FFHC - Freedom from Hunger Campaign

GN - Grama Niladhari

HIRDEP - Hambantota Integrated Rural Development Project

HSBC - Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

IWMI - International Water Management Institute

IRDP - Integrated Rural Development Project

IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature

LHG - Low Humic Gley

M&E - Monitoring and evaluation

MOU - Memorandum of Understanding

NAQDA - National Aquaculture Development Authority

NCC - National Consultative Committee

NCP - North Central Province

NGO - Non-Governmental Organisation

NWS&DB - National Water Supply and Drainage Board

OFC - Other field crops

PDHS - Provincial Department of Health Services

PDoA - Provincial Department of Agriculture

PGIS - Participatory Geographic Information System

PRDP - Participatory Rural Development Project

PRDPU - Provincial Renal Diseases Prevention Unit

RBE - Reddish Brown Earths

RBM - Results-based monitoring

TOR - Terms of Reference

UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

USD - United States dollar

VIRP - Village Irrigation Rehabilitation Project

WWSE - Wilpotha Women’s Savings Effort

1

Restoring Traditional Cascading Tank Systems for

Enhanced Rural Livelihoods and Environmental Services in

Sri Lanka

1. BACKGROUND

In Sri Lanka, there are approximately 14,200 small tanks and 13,000 anicuts, feeding an

extent of approximately 246,000 ha (39% of the total irrigable area of the country), relics of

an ancient hydraulic civilisation. These systems contribute 191,000 mt of rice to national

production (approximately 20% of national production). The Department of Agrarian

Development is the agency that is responsible for the operation and maintenance of these

small irrigation schemes, at the field level, through farmer organisations.

Climatic analyses from data of the past few decades have revealed that there have been

changes in the climatic conditions of Sri Lanka. During the period 1961-1990, the mean air

temperature of the country increased by 0.016°C per year, while the mean annual precipitation

decreased by 144 mm (7%) when compared to that of the period 1931-1960. The latter

indicates a reduction of the total volume of rainfall received by 0.84 million ha m. This is

equivalent to 76% of the total volume of water fed, annually, into the sea by the Mahaweli

River. However, there is wide disparity in the magnitude of changes that have taken place

during different seasons and at different locations. In the country, as a whole, the number of

consecutive dry days has increased, while the number of consecutive wet days has

decreased. In addition, recently, the intensity and frequency of extreme climate events (floods

and droughts) have increased, triggering an increase in natural disasters.

The National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for Sri Lanka (2011-2012), developed by

the Climate Change Secretariat of the Ministry of Environment and Renewable Energy

included sector vulnerability assessments and identified the Rambewa DS division of the

Anuradhapura District as one of the Divisional Secretariat (DS) divisions that is highly

vulnerable to the impacts of drought for the paddy sector.

1.1. District context

The Anuradhapura District is situated in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, where tank-irrigated

agriculture is practised extensively. The district has a total land area of approximately 717,900

ha, 51,500 ha of which is occupied by inland water bodies. There are approximately 3,000

minor tanks and ten anicuts within the district, which require a range of actions for restoration

and rehabilitation. The total extent of asweddumaised1 land in the district is 89,041 ha. A total

of 31,831 ha of this area is cultivated under major irrigation, while 48,452 ha are cultivated

under minor irrigation, and 8,758 ha are cultivated under rain-fed conditions. The main rivers

that flow across the district are Malwathu Oya, Yan Oya and Kanadara Oya.

The total population of the district, as reported in the 2012 national census, is 855,562, with a

land-human ratio of 0.84 ha. During the last decade, the highest population increase of 1.33%

per year was recorded in Anuradhapura District.

1 developed for paddy

2

The entire district falls within the DL1 agro-ecological region2. The annual dependable rainfall

for the area is 800-900 mm. The western part of the district (Vilachchiya area) is drier, receiving

an annual dependable rainfall of 800 mm. The eastern part of the district (Padawiya,

Horowpothana and Huruluwewa areas), has an annual dependable rainfall of 900 mm, and

does not receive adequate rainfall during the yala season. Therefore, people in the area have

to depend on maha rain-fed cultivation.The middle portion of the district (Medawachchiya,

Anuradhapura, Kekirawa and Thambuththegama areas), consisting of more than 60% of the

district, has an annual dependable rainfall of 900 mm with a distinct yala season.

The major soil groups found in this district are Reddish Brown Earths (RBE —rhodustalf), Low

Humic Gley (LHG — tropaqualf) and alluvial soils (tropaquents) of variable texture. The

general soil landscape is described as RBE and LHG undulating terrain. The RBE occupies

the crest and the upper and mid-slopes of the landscape. The LHG occupies the lower parts

of the slope and upper parts of the bottom of the valley. A narrow strip of alluvial soils occurs

along the natural drainage system. In the modal form, the RBE occupies approximately 60%

of the land surface, while the LHG occupies around 30%, and the remaining 10% is made up

of alluvial soils and rock knob plains.

According to reported land use data, paddy fields comprise 18% of the land within the district

while home gardens extend over 12% of the land. These mixed home gardens do not provide

adequate income for the local communities, but contribute towards their daily needs.

Rainwater harvesting, soil and moisture conservation, shade management and fertility

improvement practices could make these home gardens productive. Paddy tracts need special

attention under both major and minor irrigation schemes, as most of these lands are affected

by salinity and low soil fertility.

Approximately 40% of the land is covered by natural forests, including dense forest (23

percent) and open forest (17 percent), while 1% is planted forest. More than 6% of the land in

the district is cultivated with seasonal crops under rain-fed conditions or have been abandoned

due to land degradation. These lands are less fertile due to continual soil erosion, and require

immediate soil improvement and conservation practices. Most scrub lands, occupying

approximately 40,000 ha, can be converted to productive farm lands if improved rain-fed

farming practices can be introduced to farming communities.

1.2. Sectoral context

Small irrigation tanks do not exist as discrete individual units. The natural drainage system in

a watershed is blocked by earth bunds in appropriate locations to store water, forming a series

of tanks along the drainage system. The drainage pattern formed in the undulating topographic

formation of the Dry Zone landscape can be classified as a dendritic drainage pattern. This

ramifying nature of the drainage system has led to the formation of clusters of small tanks

found in series, which are connected to form a system known as a tank cascade.

2 See http://www.doa.gov.lk/index.php/ta/component/content/article/206 for further explanation

4

Figure 1: The village tank cascade system

From time to time, different agencies have made attempts to repair and rehabilitate minor

irrigation tanks, particularly following national independence in 1948. Some of the more

prominent efforts in this regard include:

i. The Village Irrigation Rehabilitation Project (VIRP), commenced in 1980: this

was the largest rehabilitation scheme in terms of area covered and cost

involved. It covered a total of 14 districts (almost the entire dry zone), targeting

1,200 minor schemes, and benefited up to 25,000 families;

ii. The Integrated Rural Development Project (IRDP);

iii. The NORAD funded programme in Hambantota (HIRDEP);

iv. NGO tank rehabilitation programmes;

v. The Freedom from Hunger Campaign (FFHC); and

vi. The Anuradhapura Dry Zone Agriculture Project (ADZAP).

Several organisations such as CARE and NCP-PRDP have attempted to follow a cascade

management approach, but these efforts were limited to the planning phase and subsequently

reverted to the conventional approach of rehabilitating individual tanks. The latter approach

has had a number of consequences, including the inundation of upstream paddy fields,

shortage of water in downstream tanks, development of salinity and the risk of chain

breaching. One of the reasons for these consequences is the lack of proper technical guidance

for the planning and management of water resources, viewing the tank cascade system as a

whole.

Subsequently, another four programmes were initiated in the central dry zone of Sri Lanka.

They are listed below.

1. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation initiated a cascade

development program in 2004, as a pilot project under the 'Rehabilitation of 10,000

village tank schemes programme' with financial assistance provided by Jinasena

Company Ltd. It was planned that the project would be implemented in the

Kapiriggama small tank cascade system. Of the 25 tanks within this system, 17 tanks

were rehabilitated, with in the removal of sediment in some tanks, through partial de-

silting techniques. A cascade management committee, comprising farmers, officers

from relevant organisations and religious leaders, was established by the divisional

officer of the Department of Agrarian Development. However, the programme did not

move forward because of conflicts that emerged between the funding agency and

government officers as no mutual agreement (such as an MOU) was made prior to the

commencement of the project. This has been taken as a lesson learned for the present

project.

2. The Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka launched a cascade development programme in

2004, through the Kala Oya basin Management Organisation. Two cascades —

Mahagalkadawala (in the Galgamuwa DS Division) and Manewa (in the Ipalogama DS

Division) — within the Kala Oya basin were selected for this initiative. Partial de-silting

techniques were adopted to remove sediment in ten tanks under this programme, while

reservations were restored by planting suitable species. Water management

improvements were made downstream of the tanks, and rainwater harvesting systems

5

were also introduced for domestic purposes. There are five farmer organisations that

have been established within the cascade as a result of the programme.

3. Plan Sri Lanka implemented a cascade-based small tank rehabilitation programme

over a period of five years (2004-2009) in the Anuradhapura District. The tanks and

cascades initially selected were Nawodagama (six tanks) and Sandamal Eliya (six

tanks) in the Mahavillachchiya DS Division, and Puwarsankulama (three tanks) and

Kahagollewa (five tanks) in the Nuwaragam Palatha DS Division. The programme was

extended subsequently to the Parana Halmillewa cascade (six tanks and an anicut) in

the Medawachchiya DS Division. The main activities of the programme included the

rehabilitation of infrastructure in 28 small irrigation systems, de-silting and removal of

excess aquatic weeds, the development of tank catchment areas, the promotion of

crop diversification and the facilitation of agricultural input service, and the provision of

technical and financial support for upgrading relevant social and institutional systems

to ensure their sustainability. The promotion and monitoring of the growth of younger

children and micro-financing were also included in the programme.

4. The Sevalanka Foundation has implemented a programme in the Anuradhapura

District with the financial assistance of IUCN for the restoration of natural habitats in a

village tank ecosystem during the period 2007 – 2008. Five villages were identified as

project intervention sites. A total of 170 farm families were involved in project activities.

Five plant nurseries were established and more than 40 plant species were raised in

these nurseries, and planted in the surrounding area of tanks (in the kattakaduwa and

gasgommana3), in places where a large canopy cover was inadequate or absent.

A knowledge-sharing programme was also conducted to share traditional knowledge

about farming among participants, and to discuss how these aspects could be

incorporated in the home garden and ecosystem development programmes.

Disappearing practices and rituals (including kem and puja) and astrology (sasthra)

were also discussed.

A programme was initiated to train women farmers on the use of raw materials, which

can be collected from the village reservations and home gardens for making products

such as mats, baskets and bags, with the aim of promoting the protection of the village

commons4. The products were planned to be sold in a market outlet established at the

Divisional Secretary’s Office, Nochchiyagama.

Within this context, IUCN implemented the present project in the Kapiriggama small tank

cascade in the Rambewa DS Division of the Anuradhapura District.

The main objective of the Project was to restore traditional cascading tank systems for

enhanced rural livelihoods and environmental services.

This Project carried out scientific restoration of the Kapiriggama cascading tank system and

developed a sustainable management mechanism, with the full participation of local

3 See Figure 1 4 Dharmasena, P.B (2008). Project Completion Report, RECS, Community Conservation Support Fund.

Colombo: IUCN-Sevalanka.

6

communities and regulatory bodies at the cascade level (cascade management committee).

It also restored the watershed of the system, thereby contributing to sustainability and

enhanced biodiversity. Capacity building on the maintenance of the system, supplementary

livelihoods, and soil and water conservation, will also contribute to sustainability.

The Project also addressed the water scarcity faced by rural communities living in the dry zone

of the country. This is particularly important, given that climate change is expected to increase

the number of dry days experienced in the dry zone.

Thus, the Project will reduce vulnerability to climate change and demonstrate the sustainable

management of a restored cascading tank system. These efforts will address the farming,

drinking and environmental water requirements of the area.

Figure 2: Draft land use map for the Kapiriggama cascade system

2. RATIONALE

2.1. Problems and issues identified

Low cropping intensity: In a study carried out for the entire Anuradhapura District using

rice cultivation statistics recorded from 1970 to 2003, it was observed that the cropping

intensity5 never exceeded one, and fluctuated according to the rainfall received during

5 Cropping intensity is the number of times a crop is planted per year in a given agricultural area.

7

the maha season6. Despite efforts made to renovate small tanks under various tank

rehabilitation projects implemented during this period in Anuradhapura District, there has

not been any significant improvement in cropping intensity. This calls into question the

strategies currently being used to rehabilitate tanks, as well as their effect on the water

storage efficiency of tanks.

Tank sedimentation: The area cultivable from the water in small tanks decreases

gradually because of tank sedimentation and the subsequent high tank water losses. A

study carried out in 1990 showed that three small tanks — Paindikulama, Siwalagala

and Marikaragama — in the Nachchaduwa major watershed have been silted up by 35,

30 and 23% of their initial capacity7. Siltation of tanks not only reduces storage capacity,

but also leads to alteration of tank bed geometry. Subsequent rehabilitation work, where

the capacity has been improved by raising the spill and the tank bund, has created

shallow water bodies spreading over a larger surface area. This creates additional

problems, including flooding of upstream paddy lands, increased water losses, upper

areas becoming more saline, disappearance of the gasgommana, as well as the grass

cover (perahana) underneath. Some indigenous fish species, which need deeper water

to breed and live, also disappear.

High tank water losses: Water losses from small tanks are very high. Within two to three

months of the cessation of the seasonal rains, most of the tanks appear as marshy lands

infested with aquatic weeds. Previous studies conducted on hydrology of minor tanks

indicated clearly that the total tank water loss through evaporation and percolation varies

from 35 to 90% depending on the geometry of the water body8. Water losses are higher

from tanks with shallower water bodies, than those with deep water. Therefore, it is clear

that the geometry of the tank bed is critical for the water storage efficiency of a tank. It

follows that if the tank bed geometry is altered suitably, water loss can be reduced

drastically.

Low resource productivity: The failure of previous projects to increase productivity could

be attributed to a lack of focus on restoration of the tank bed and its surrounding

ecosystem; confinement of programmes to tank and command area development,

without addressing the problems of rain-fed and homestead farming in the tank

catchment; external interactions and socio-economic conditions; a poor social

mobilisation process and the lack of a local institutional mechanism to continue activities,

once the project ceases.

These problems and their consequences are addressed by various activities planned for the

Project, in order to achieve the sustainability of the communities living in the Kapiriggama

cascade system.

6 Dharmasena, P.B (2005). Small tank heritage and current problems, Proceedings of the Symposium on ‘Small

Tank Settlements in Sri Lanka’ (ed.) M.M.M. Aheeyar, organised by HARTI held on 21st August 2004 at HARTI, Colombo. 7 Dharmasena, P.B (1992). Magnitude of sedimentation in village tanks, Trop. Agric. Department of Agriculture,

Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 148: 97-110. 8 Dharmasena, P.B (2005). Small tank heritage and current problems, Proceedings of the Symposium on ‘Small

Tank Settlements in Sri Lanka’ (ed.) M.M.M. Aheeyar, organised by HARTI held on 21st August 2004 at HARTI, Colombo.

8

2.2. Stakeholders and target beneficiaries

The project activities span three GN Divisions — Peenagama (90), Konakumbukwewa (91)

and Kapiriggama (98) — in the Rambewa DS Division. The stakeholders of the Project can be

categorised into four distinct groups based on their involvement in the implementation of the

project, as follows:

1. National level: A National Consultative Committee formed by IUCN, comprising senior

officers from the Department of Agrarian Development, International Water

Management Institute, Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, Agriculture Engineering

Department, University of Peradeniya, as well as professionals in the field of water

resources management within the country.

2. District level (Anuradhapura): Department of Agrarian Development, Department of

Agriculture and Irrigation Department.

3. Divisional level: Divisional Secretariat Rambewa, and ASC - Kallanchiya.

4. GN level: Range agricultural instructor, GNs, farmer organisations and approximately

1,500 families under the three GN Divisions.

Direct beneficiaries of the project are the 1,500 families that occupy the three relevant GN

Divisions. The project will also benefit another 60,000 families living in similar types of

cascades in the North Central Province through sharing of experience from this Project.

2.3. Links to national development goals and strategic objectives

The Project has direct links with the objectives of the national agriculture policy derived from

the Mahinda Chinthana Development Policy Framework. The objectives of the national

agricultural policy are to increase domestic agricultural production to ensure food and nutrition

security of the nation; promote agricultural productivity and ensure sustainable growth;

maximise benefits and minimise adverse effects of globalisation on domestic and export

agriculture; adopt productive farming systems and improved agro-technologies with a view to

reduce the unit cost of production and increase profits; apply environmentally-friendly

techniques in agriculture; promote agro-based industries and increase employment

opportunities thereof;, and enhance the income and the living standard of farming community.

The national development policy of the Government of Sri Lanka has been stated in the

Mahinda Chinthana Development Policy Framework 2006-2016. It emphasises the creation

of wealth through economic growth and infrastructure development, as a means of achieving

poverty reduction. While discussing agricultural renaissance, this policy addresses the issues

of farming communities. The development of land and water resources, the dairy industry,

fisheries and ocean resources are given the priority in agricultural development. The present

project aims for poverty reduction of the farming community through restoration of traditional

cascading tank systems, in order to enhance the rural livelihoods and environmental services

associated with these systems, facilitating the achievement of these national goals of

agricultural policy.

The Government of Sri Lanka has also given priority to the rehabilitation of minor tanks and

the improvement of downstream activities, which are the main components of the present

project. Rehabilitation of such minor tanks will provide more employment opportunities in

9

villages and reduce urban migration, which, in turn, will contribute to meeting government

expectations. Furthermore, as part of the policy goal of attaining sustainable earnings, food

security and higher incomes for the population dependent on the sector, priority has been

given to achieving a broad-based shift from subsistence agriculture to sustainable farming,

specifically emphasising the need to reduce environmental pollution.

2.4. IUCN’s expertise and experience

IUCN is a global union of states, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and

affiliate institutions. In addition to its members, IUCN has networks of more than 11,000

experts, who are members of its specialised commissions. IUCN’s membership in Asia is 227

as of May 2013. There are 12 members in Sri Lanka, including the Ministry of Environment

and Renewable Energy, the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Forest Department, the

Central Environmental Authority and a number of leading local environmental NGOs.

The mission of IUCN is ‘. . . to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world

to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources

is equitable and ecologically sustainable.’ Since 1988, IUCN in Sri Lanka has been operating

under a MOU with the Government of Sri Lanka, and it has been offered the same level of

recognition that has been extended to the UNDP in Sri Lanka.

Over time, IUCN has demonstrated its ability as a credible and impartial convener in bringing

all stakeholders (government agencies, international agencies, civil society and communities)

together. In addition, it has demonstrated its place as knowledge-based agency on biodiversity

and ecosystems. Given its technical expertise in the field of ecology, and its convening power,

IUCN is ideally suited to restoring ecologically the Kapiriggama cascade system, and devising

an appropriate cascade level management mechanism. Further, it brings in other technical

expertise necessary for tank restoration, by partnering with other agencies and appointing

individual experts for project planning and implementation.

IUCN is a non-profit organisation that works directly on biodiversity and ecosystem

conservation projects — including water-related projects. IUCN has vast experience on

programmes dealing with water, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. IUCN pioneered

the Red Listing™ of threatened fauna and flora in Sri Lanka, and has gradually institutionalised

the process into the national system. IUCN works both at the policy and field levels. Its

engagement ranges from assessment of biodiversity, to preparation of management plans for

Natural World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka, including Sinharaja and the Central Highlands. It

has also implemented numerous field-level projects with a focus on ecosystem management

and sustainable livelihoods. Some of the key IUCN programmes related to water are described

below.

i. The Warawewa Tank, which is situated in Wilpotha GN Division in Pallama in the

Puttalam District, was restored under a partnership between HSBC and the IUCN Sri

Lanka Office. The project was implemented by the Wilpotha Women’s Savings Effort

(WWSE), and the farmer society of the area, Samagi Govi Sanvidanaya.

The additional volume of water retained within the tank following its restoration enabled

the paddy farmers of the area, who previously cultivated only about 18 hectares during

10

the maha season (15 September to 15 March), to cultivate an additional six hectares of

previously disused paddy land, increasing the total cultivated land to about 24 hectares.

Restoration of this tank benefitted approximately 70 families in the village surrounding

the Warawewa Tank, through the development of livelihoods and enhancement of

ecosystems.

ii. A project was implemented by IUCN during the period, 2007-2008 to bring relief to

approximately 100 families in the Galkulama and Kajuwatta villages by restoring

Kahatakulama Tank, improving the surrounding ecosystem, building an anicut across

Lune ela and by developing sustainable home gardens for 40 farming families who had

no paddy land, as well as constructing a bathing pond to serve the villagers.

iii. IUCN implemented a project through the Sevalanka Foundation titled ‘Restoration of

Natural Habitats in Village Tank Ecosystem’ in the Nochchiyagama DS Division during

the period, 2007–2008. The primary activities undertaken as part of this project

included conservation of upstream tank catchments, restoration of tank ecosystems,

riverine ecology and non-farming areas, ecological integrated farming, cottage

industry development, indigenous fishery development, and institutional development

for resource management.

iv. IUCN implemented a project in the Kala Oya basin, in partnership with the Mahaweli

Authority of Sri Lanka, on ‘Integrating Wetland Economic Values into River Basin

Management’. IUCN participated in the river basin management pilot project in the

Kala Oya basin on how ecosystem values can be incorporated into basin level

decision-making, taking into consideration biodiversity and livelihoods values of small

tanks when making more informed decisions. The work undertaken as part of this

project was completed in early 2005.

3. EXPECTED RESULTS

3.1. Impact

The major impact of this project will be the achievement of sustainable livelihoods for

communities living in the Kapiriggama tank cascade area. The communities will benefit from

the following impacts on agriculture, environment, water, health and culture.

i. Increase in the availability of water for drinking and domestic use: Some communities

directly obtain drinking water from tanks, while almost all local communities use tanks

for bathing and other domestic purposes. Increased water storage will also contribute

towards maintaining the groundwater table. Initial field observations reveal that many

villagers suffer from certain kidney diseases, believed to be a consequence of using

water polluted with agro-chemicals.

ii. Increase in income and agricultural produce: Agricultural activities are the predominant

livelihood in the area. Because of the shortage of water, paddy and other field crops

are cultivated mainly during the maha season. Project interventions in tank irrigation

and rain-fed upland farming will allow for an increased frequency of cultivation,

resulting in increased production. This, in turn, will contribute to the food security of

local people and the larger population. The increased harvest of paddy and

11

opportunities for other agricultural activities will, in turn, increase the family income of

local communities. Minimising crop failure by having a reliable water supply at crucial

stages will be an added advantage.

Nutritional enrichment: Project interventions will enhance food security through

increased production of paddy and other agricultural produce. Inland fishery will also

be a valuable food source, with a steady supply of water from the tanks. Lack of protein

is a major cause of malnutrition in rural areas, and providing such a source will

contribute to better overall health of communities.

iii. Cultural value: By increasing activity in tank-based agriculture, the villagers may

become more involved in cultural events, as was the case in the past. Most of these

events have been abandoned because of the uncertainty of farming in this area.

Restoring tanks and ecosystems will enhance the social dignity of communities, and

provide meaning to their cultural traditions.

iv. Ecosystem goods and services: The cascade system of tanks can be considered as

an ecosystem that has survived for centuries, providing various ecosystem services to

communities dependent on them. Villagers have used this ecosystem for obtaining

food, fuelwood and a variety of other goods. They also benefited from carbon

sequestration, water purification, ground water and surface flow regulation, erosion

control, and stream bank stabilisation. With the restoration of the tanks and their

sustainable management, the potential of the ecosystem to provide these services

again will also be restored.

3.2. Outcomes and outputs

No. Outcome Outputs

01 Enhanced availability of tank

water to meet community needs

Plans and estimates for tank rehabilitation prepared

Headworks of tanks completed

Downstream developed

Ecosystem restored

Income generated from cottage industry

02 Enhanced productivity in the

command area of village tank

Groundwater supplemented

Crop diversification practiced

Soil fertility enhanced

03 Well managed tank catchments

to release water yields in

adequate quantity and desirable

quality

Rain-fed farming improved

Home garden productivity improved

Income generated from organic fertiliser products

Natural streams restored

Barren lands reforested with multi-purpose trees

04 Strengthened local institutional

mechanism to ensure

sustainable livelihoods

Moblisation process activated

Community groups formed

05 Sound knowledge base

developed for tank cascade

Socio-economic database established

Physical resources database established

12

management Ecological database established

Local knowledge and best practices compiled

06 Learning, sharing and adaptive

management in cascade tank

systems

Previous cascade restoration experiences learnt

Present experience on cascade restoration shared

with others

Replicability of the project interventions assessed

13

3.3. Project actions and activities

Main action Activities

1. Rehabilitation of

tanks and restoration

of tank ecosystems to

provide water for all

needs of the

community

i. Preliminary investigation, tank bed and sediment depth surveys

and preparation of plans and estimates by DAD for minor irrigation

systems

ii. Tank bed improvement (partial de-silting), bund repairs and

structural improvements of minor irrigation systems

iii. Command area development (retaining walls, water distribution

structures, canals, drainage etc.)

iv. Tank ecosystem restoration

v. Cottage industry development

2. Productivity

enhancement in the

command area

i. Construction of community agro-wells

ii. Crop diversification

iii. Soil fertility enhancement

3. Management of tank

catchments to release

water yields in

adequate quantity

and desirable quality

i. Rain-fed upland development with conservation farming, soil

conservation, in-situ rainwater harvesting and organic farming

ii. Home garden productivity improvement with soil conservation,

rainwater harvesting and fertility enhancement

iii. Preparation of organic fertiliser products

iv. Rehabilitation of natural streams through cleaning and tree

planting

v. Reforestation of barren lands with multi-purpose tree species

4. Strengthening local

institutional

mechanisms to

ensure sustainable

livelihoods

i. Social mobilisation through training, awareness creation and

shramadana campaigns

ii. Formation of small groups and village committees

iii. Establishment of a Cascade Management Committee

iv. Development of linkages with the private sector for inputs, services

and marketing

5. Development of a

sound knowledge

base for tank cascade

management

i. Development of a socio-economic database

ii. Development of a physical resources database

iii. Development of an ecological database

iv. Compilation of local knowledge and best practices

6. Enhancement of l

earning, sharing and

adaptive

management in

cascade tank

systems

i. Learning from previous cascade restoration experiences

ii. Sharing present experience on cascade restoration with others

iii. Planning of another cascade restoration programme based on

project experience

3.4. Sustainability

i. The project aims to restore traditional cascading tank systems for the enhancement of

rural livelihoods and environmental services. This will contribute to reducing the

poverty of these rural communities, so that they will be better positioned for active

participation in future development activities.

ii. Once they are completed, the social and livelihood assets and infrastructure will be

handed over to the villagers and CBOs. These villagers and CBOs will be involved

14

closely throughout the implementation process, which will also focus on the provision

of training on the maintenance and ownership of these collective assets.

iii. The project will create enabling conditions for rural economic development, while

moving towards long-term self-reliance. Therefore, the focus on commercial

livelihoods, employability, business expansion and vocational training are deliberate

choices on the part of the project in order to support the villagers to realise their full

entrepreneurial and market potential.

iv. Through a robust strategy for private sector engagement, the project will identify new

market opportunities for its beneficiaries, in order to ensure the sustainability of their

livelihoods beyond the period of project support.

v. The project intervention area is already under environmental pressure due to the

demand for land and natural resources, and is prone to both droughts and flooding.

The flooding can cause extensive damage to crops and livelihoods. In addition, with

flooding, water-borne diseases increase. In the light of the assessment, the project will

be guided by environmentally-friendly and disaster risk-sensitive considerations. For

example, the Project includes activities for promoting environmentally-friendly

livelihood practices, such as sustainable land use and organic farming techniques, in

addition to activities for raising awareness among its beneficiary communities on the

importance of environmental protection and disaster risk management in their daily

lives.

vi. The project will ensure the participation of women in its community consultation and

planning exercises, and will support livelihood and social services access opportunities

for women. The project will focus on rehabilitating or constructing productive and social

infrastructure units with greater potential impact for ensuring the safety and socio-

economic well-being of women.

vii. The project will be accompanied by a knowledge management initiative to demonstrate

best practices and lessons learned. In particular, new innovations and models will be

identified for knowledge-capture. The best practices and lessons learned from this

project will also be documented.

3.5. Environmental impact

In general, agriculture of any form, irrespective of its resource base and input pattern, can

have some degree of impact — positive or negative — on the environment. Given that food

production is an essential element in the social context, agriculture should be practised with

minimum disturbance to the environment, and, particular, to the physical resource base.

Because the project area is ecologically fragile, and frequently experiences natural disasters

such as droughts and floods, as well as communicable and non-communicable diseases, any

intervention related to the ecosystem must be made with the utmost care. The proposed

project has planned with an understanding of these factors and considering the following

strategies to minimise negative environmental impacts:

i. Every year, new lands, or lands that are abandoned after cultivation, are cleared for

rain-fed farming, primarily in tank catchment areas. This process removes natural

vegetation and causes soil erosion, both of which are detrimental to environment. The

proposed project addresses this issue by promoting the adoption of soil and moisture

conservation measures among farmers.

15

ii. Irrigation systems in the project area, as well as in all dry and intermediate zone areas

of Sri Lanka, do not function efficiently because eroded soil is deposited in the reservoir

beds. As a result, the ecology associated with these systems also becomes disturbed.

This structural, as well as environmental, deterioration has been well recognised by

the proposed project. Accordingly, the tank rehabilitation programme has been

planned to include the partial removal of sediment and ecosystem restoration works.

iii. Almost all farmers in the project intervention areas use inorganic fertilisers and agro-

chemicals indiscriminately, for both rain-fed, and irrigated farming. This has harmful

effects on all types of living organisms, including human beings. The present project

aims to change the crop cultivation methods used by the target farming population by

introducing organic farming and the use of suitable bio-pesticides, as this will have a

beneficial impact on the environment.

iv. In the past, these rural farmers practised paddy farming, upland rain-fed cultivation or

chena and homestead farming, adopting their own traditional methods. At present, they

cannot practise such farming as they have lost their sources of organic manure,

traditional farm implements, cattle herds and other livestock. The project can restore,

for these communities, an environment where livestock can be integrated into their

own mode of farming, without engaging in chemical-dependent agriculture.

v. The project has no intention in promoting the clearing of forests in order to increase

the agricultural production. However, abandoned farmlands (both irrigated and rain-

fed) will be rehabilitated to revitalise cultivation with adequate drainage, reclamation

and soil and moisture conservation measures.

vi. The groundwater potential in the project area varies depending on the relative position

on the land catena9 and the existence of water bodies. Over-abstraction of groundwater

can lead to environmental problems and depletion. Thus, the project includes scientific

investigations to identify suitable locations for groundwater abstraction, and will not

allow planning for a large number of wells at a single location.

vii. Interventions related to inland fishery and aquaculture promote the integrated use of

land and water resources. The introduction of fingerlings, especially traditional species,

to the water bodies, and the provision of support to reduce illegal fishing, will enhance,

as well preserve, the biodiversity of the existing ecosystems.

3.6. Gender, vulnerability and equity issues

The project, as a policy, promotes gender equality and the economic and social empowerment

of rural women. In line with this approach to promote equal access to resources, services,

decision-making and employment opportunities for men and women in rural areas, the project

is strengthening capacity to integrate gender mainstreaming into its activities properly.

The present project has been planned to facilitate the integration of gender mainstreaming

through the following activities:

i. Attempts to ensure equal participation of women in training programmes;

ii. Leadership in small groups and village committees; and

iii. Active involvement of women in organic farming practices.

9 A catena in soil science is a sequence of types of soil down a hill slope

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil

16

3.7. Risks and assumptions

In developing this project proposal, the following risks have been identified and a few

assumptions had to be made to avoid hindrance of the success of the project.

i. Human resources: The human resources of some implementing partner organisations

are not adequate to carry out even their routine programmes. Reluctance of some

government officers to work in remote areas is one of the reasons for this lack of

capacity. Present experiences lead IUCN to assume that the DS administration system

will continue to support the project by providing the necessary human resource

support.

ii. Coordination: A proper mechanism to establish effective coordination among

implementing partner organisations is lacking, as each of these organisations has been

working in isolation to meet its individual targets. For example, the irrigation sector

does not work in close collaboration with the agriculture sector. Therefore, an

integrated water resource management programme is only an assumption under the

present circumstances.

iii. Facilities: The present project will not be solely responsible for the provision of facilities,

such as those required for mobility, residential and skill development for staff of

implementing partner organisations. It is assumed that the relevant partners will look

contribute to facilitate the project activities.

iv. Attitudes: The project proposal includes certain innovative strategies and approaches,

which can be attempted only through an enthusiastic outlook. Conventional attitudes

and misconceptions in the minds of personnel attached to implementing partner

organisations may hinder or slow the success of project implementation.

v. Priority: It is assumed that the government priority for accelerated economic

development in rural areas will remain unchanged.

vi. Political interference: The identification of activities of the project is according to the

project plan, needs assessments and suggestions from the community. It is assumed

that the collective will of local political authorities or leaders is also in agreement with

these preferences and priorities.

vii. Commitment: All implementing partner organisations of the project are assumed to be

committed equally to the project, and to equally participate in playing their respective

roles, thus assuring local ownership to the project-induced outcomes.

viii. Dependency mentality: The dependency mentality of the rural communities that has

evolved over the past few decades as a consequence of approaches taken by various

development projects and aid programmes will need some some years to change to

self-confidence. Even with an effective social mobilisation process, the project will face

certain difficulties at its inception, until a ‘working together’ approach is adopted.

ix. Natural disasters: The frequent occurrence of excessive rains, floods and droughts in

the project intervention area, as experienced in the recent past, can slow down project

activities.

x. Socio-political environs: It is assumed that socio-political events occurring from time

to time, such as general, presidential, provincial and local government elections, will

not affect the project activities.

17

4. IMPLEMENTATION AND MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

4.1. Institutional framework, coordination and partnerships

IUCN, with its vast experience in designing and implementing of projects integrating

biodiversity and ecosystem conservation into development in various parts of the country, was

in an ideal position to take full responsibility for the implementation of the present project, and

to ensure the achievement of the expected development outcomes and outputs, as outlined

above. IUCN coordinated all sector agencies and relevant officers, such as the Divisional

Secretary of Rambewa DS Division, the Department of Agrarian Development (DAD), the

Provincial Department of Agriculture (PDOA), the Department of Irrigation (DI), the

Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Department of Forest Conservation, private sector

entities, NGOs, INGOs and CBOs, for the implementation of project activities in the

Kapiriggama cascade area. Further, they worked in direct consultation with following agencies,

at national level through a National Consultative Committee (NCC):

i. International Water Management Institute (IWMI);

ii. Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Peradeniya;

iii. Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka; and

iv. The University of Rajarata, Mihintale.

The composition of the National Consultative Committee (NCC) Institutional representatives Eng. P. Witharana

Dept. of Agrarian Development

Dr. H. Manthrithilake International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

Dr. W. M. A D.B Wickramasinghe Dept. of Agriculture Mr. M.M.M.Aheeyar Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research & Training

Institute (HARTI) Mr. J.M.S.P.B Jayathilaka Asst. Divisional Secretary, Rambewa Divisional

Secretariat

Dr. L. W. Galagedara University of Peradeniya Dr. Ranjana Piyadasa University of Colombo Ms. D. M. Thamara Dissanayake

Central Environmental Authority (CEA)

Eng. S. P. B. Illangasingha Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL) Individual experts Prof. C. M. Madduma Bandara Expert in Tank Cascade System

Dr. M. U. A. Tennakoon South Asia Partnership Sri Lanka Eng. D. L. O. Mendis Expert Dr. Lionel Weerakoon Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development

(SARD) Mr. Harsha Sooriarachchi Expert IUCN representatives Dr. P.B. Dharmasena Mr. Shamen Vidanage Ms. Kumudu Herath Mr. S M. M. Senavirathne

18

IUCN was responsible for the provision of technical assistance, procurement of goods, as well

as management and coordination support (administrative, financial management, operational

management, and monitoring and evaluation). Throughout the duration of the project, IUCN

was represented at monthly Divisional Agriculture Committee meetings convened by the DSD

Rambewa, where project interventions and progress were presented to local agency

representatives and representatives of the local communities.

List of key persons involved in the Kapiriggama Village Tank Cascade Project

IUCN Project Management team

Dr. Ananda Mallawatantri

Mr. Shamen Vidanage

Dr. P.B. Dharmasena

Ms. Kumudu Herath

Mr. S.M.M. Senavirathna

Department of Agrarian Development (Colombo and Anuradhapura)

Eng. P. Witharana

Mr. K D S Dayananda

Mr. R M G Senarathna

Mr. G. Tennakoon

Mr. T M Rathnamalala

IUCN Biodiversity team

Mr. Sampath De A. Goonatilake

Mr. Naalin Perera

Mr. Sarath Ekanayake

IUCN Technical Assistance

Ms. Darshani Wijesinghe

Mr. Jayantha Jayasooriya

Mr. K.G. Sriyapala

Mr. G. Gunawardana

Dr. Parakrama Weligamage

Mr. Saman Herath

Dr. Sriyanie Miththapala

Mr. Namal Prasantha

Ms. Padmi Meegoda

Ms. Pramodi Hewawitharana

Mr. Gyan De Silva

4.2. Technical and operational support

IUCN provided the necessary operational and technical support, and is responsible for overall

management and coordination of the project. These actions will be performed by IUCN staff,

including existing staff members and recruited staff. The details of staff who were involved in

19

the project are provided in the table below.

No. Member Expertise Role

01 Mr. Shamen Vidanage Environmental economist and natural resources management expert.

Programme Coordinator — takes overall charge in project management including institutional coordination.

02 Dr. P.B. Dharmasena Agriculture, hydrology and traditional tank management expert.

Chief technical adviser to the project and community catalyst.

03 Eng. Prabath Witharana

Water management and engineering aspects.

Coordination of DAD's participation technical lead for civil works and engineering studies

04 Ms. Kumudu Herath Integrated water resources management expert.

Project Manager, soil and water conservation (including watershed management planning) technical advisor.

05 Mr. Sarath Ekanayake Flora ecologist Lead technical expert on the assessment and enhancement of floral diversity.

06 Mr. Sampath Goonatilake

Fauna ecologist Lead technical expert on the assessment and enhancement of faunal diversity.

07 Ms. Darshani Wijesinghe

GIS mapping expert GIS mapping

08 Mr. S. M. M. Seneviratne

Social mobiliser/ cascade coordinator/ community development specialist

Social mobilisation, and responsible for field level coordination for participatory planning and development activities.

4.3. Implementation strategy

The project adopted a community driven development (CDD) approach to improve rural

livelihoods and living conditions, and to enhance environmental services and agricultural

productivity. The strategy adopted for project implementation rests on following principles:

i. A holistic and synergistic approach to address social, ecological and agricultural issues

in the tank cascade area;

ii. The use of participatory development and extension processes to promote,

demonstrate and disseminate improved technologies and practices appropriate to the

ecological status of the area;

iii. Community self-identification and selection of activities, locations, beneficiaries (in

accordance with project norms), monitoring and evaluation;

iv. Provision of assistance for rehabilitation and restoration, to enable collective and joint

ventures with project stakeholders and beneficiaries; and

v. Integrated approaches to address natural resource management and sustainable land

use (for example, the promotion of organic farming practices to reduce agrochemicals

and nitrite residues in soils and groundwater, conservation farming to enhance the

fertility and moisture-holding capacity of soils, and agro-forestry practices).

The overall coordination of the project will be handled by the IUCN and its field office located

20

in Kapiriggama.

4.4. Collaboration with other organisations

The project activities were implemented in close association with the other service

organisations, while supporting and enhancing the effectiveness of their services. IUCN will

attempt to promote regional programmes designed by various organisations, such as DAP&H,

NAQDA, NWS&DB, DHS of the NCP and Rajarata University, by inviting them to collaborate

in this Project. Some of the specific ventures to be undertaken are as follows:

i. NWS&DB — Providing potable water for drinking and cooking, for people in Chronic

Kidney Disease prone areas.

ii. PDHS — Chronic Kidney Disease prevention programme conducted by PRDPU.

iii. Rajarata University — Environment and rural development assessment programmes

conducted by the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.

iv. NAQDA — Enhancement of fish diversity through the aquaculture programme.

In addition, the Divineguma programme, and the annual programmes of relevant government

departments will be studied closely prior to ground level implementation of the project

activities.

Procurement

Inputs for any partner organisation or direct provision to beneficiaries will be procured

according to IUCN general procedures and guidelines. An MOU has already been signed

between IUCN and DAD (the main partner organisation) for mutual understanding of

procurements, and collaboration for the project interventions. Contracts for infrastructure

development will be offered to the community through accepted CBOs.

Other related services (for example, supplies for workshops and training programmes) will be

contracted locally to channel additional benefits to the community.

21

4.5. Logical Framework

Title: Restoring Traditional Cascading Tank Systems for Enhanced Rural Livelihoods and Environmental Services in Sri Lanka

Country/ Region: Sri Lanka/ Anuradhapura District

Project No.:

Budget: USD 500,000

Duration: January 2013 – March 2016

Intervention Logic Objectively Verifiable Indicators of Achievement

Source and Means of Verification

Risks and Assumptions

Overall Objective Enhancement of living standards of rural communities living in the Kapiriggama cascade through restoration and improvement of traditional system on sustainable basis.

Increase in average annual income of the communities in the Kapiriggama cascade.

Annual income survey by GNs.

Abnormalities of the rainfall pattern in the year.

Specific Objectives

Restoration and improvement the traditional tank-village systems on a sustainable basis through: i. Rehabilitation of 23 tanks and

restoration of tank ecosystems;

ii. Productivity enhancement in the paddy fields of 23 tanks;

iii. Tank catchment management of the entire cascade;

iv. Strengthening of local institutions in 11 villages;

v. Establishment of the cascade knowledge base; and

vi. Learning, sharing and replicability assessment of cascade system management.

Increase in the overall cropping intensity of the lowland cultivation. Percentage of families with enhanced livelihood opportunities.

Annual income survey by GNs.

People’s commitment will not be disaggregated by social and political factors.

22




Expected Results Result 1: Rehabilitated irrigation system and restored ecosystem with enhanced biodiversity to provide adequate and good quality water for all needs of the community.

Number of tanks rehabilitated with ecosystems restored and biodiversity enhanced.

IUCN progress reports. Tank water storage status can affect rehabilitation planning and construction.

Output 1.1 Plans and estimates prepared.

Number of tanks having plans and estimates ready for rehabilitation.

DAD report to IUCN. Tank water storage status can affect surveys.

Activity 1.1.1 Preliminary investigation

Activity 1.1.2 Tank bed survey

Activity 1.1.3 Sediment depth survey

Activity 1.1.4 Preparation of plans and estimates

Output 1.2 Head works completed.

Number of tanks completed with head works.

DAD report to IUCN. Tank water storage status can affect head works.

Activity 1.2.1 Partial removal of sediment.

Activity 1.2.2 Repairs to bund, sluice, spill etc.

Output 1.3 Downstream developed.

Number of tanks completed with downstream constructions.

DAD report to IUCN. Cultivation will be affected.

Activity 1.3.1 Repairs to/ construction of retaining wall.

Activity 1.3.2 Canal system repairs/ construction.

Activity 1.3.3 Construction of distribution structures.

Activity 1.3.4 Restoration of common drainage (kiul ela).

Output 1.4 Ecosystem restored. Number of ecosystem components restored.

IUCN progress reports. Encroachment issues will be resolved by DAD.

Activity 1.4.1 Participatory planning of tank ecosystems.

Activity 1.4.2 Collection of planting materials.

Activity 1.4.3 Tree planting programme in kattakaduwa and gasgommana

Activity 1.4.4 Construction of godawala, iswetiya and yathuruwala

Activity 1.4.5 Formation of Youth Environment Group (YEG).

23




Activity 1.4.6 Establishment of herbal gardens (aushda uyan).

Expected Results Result 2: Enhanced productivity in the command area of village tank.

Increase in cropping intensity in lowland cultivation. Percentage of increase in crop production of the command area.

Output 2.1 Groundwater use in paddy fields as a supplementary

water source.

Extent of lowland assured with groundwater supply.

Activity 2.1.1 Location selection of community wells.

IUCN M&E reports. Unusual climatic events (for example floods and droughts) will affect the programme.

Activity 2.1.2 Preparation of estimates. IUCN M&E reports. Land is assumed to be available for well locations.

Activity 2.1.3 Provision of inputs.

Activity 2.1.4 Participatory well construction works.

Output 2.2 Crop diversification practised.

Number of command areas where crop diversification is practised.

Activity 2.2.1 Participatory planning for crop diversification.

Activity 2.2.2 Input supply arrangements. IUCN M&E reports. People’s reluctance for OFC cultivation in lowland.

Activity 2.2.3 Crop cultivation in yala season.

Activity 2.2.4 Marketing arrangements.

Output 2.3 Soil fertility enhanced. Percentage of increase in crop yield.

Activity 2.3.1 Green manure tree planting (Gliricidia, Thespesia populnea, Adhatoda vasica, Citronella etc.)

Activity 2.3.2 Adoption of natural pest control and bio-pesticides.

IUCN M&E reports. Stray cattle can damage plants.

Activity 2.3.3 Introduction of traditional rice farming. Expected Results Result 3: Well-managed tank

catchments to release water yields in adequate quantity and

desirable quality.

Extent of tank catchments developed with conservation strategies.

Output 3.1 Rain-fed farming Percentage of increase in land productivity in rain-fed farming.

24




improved.

Activity 3.1.1 Soil and water conservation.

IUCN progress reports. Farmers may be reluctant to adopt conservation measures in chena lands.

Activity 3.1.2 Conservation farming. IUCN M&E reports. Regeneration of land productivity is a slow process.

Activity 3.1.3 In-situ rainwater harvesting.

Activity 3.1.4 Organic farming.

Output 3.2 Income generated from organic fertiliser products.

Number of women who started organic fertiliser production works.

Activity 3.2.1 Training on organic fertiliser preparation.

Activity 3.2.2 Use of aquatic weeds for compost preparation.

IUCN progress reports. Alcoholism will become a constraint.

Activity 3.2.3 Bio-pesticide and liquid fertiliser as an income generation avenue for women.

Output 3.3 Home garden productivity improved.

Percentage of increase in land productivity in home gardens.

Activity 3.3.1 Home garden planning.

Activity 3.3.2 Soil and water conservation.

IUCN M&E reports. People are reluctant to practice tree pruning.

Activity 3.3.3 Planting fruit trees.

Activity 3.3.4 Fertility enhancement (live fence, liquid natural fertiliser, compost and recycle bins).

Output 3.4 Natural streams restored.

Number of natural streams restored.

Activity 3.4.1 Investigation of natural streams.

Activity 3.4.2 Cleaning natural streams. IUCN M&E reports. Streams may be crossing cultivated lands.

Activity 3.4.3 Stream protection tree planting.

Output 3.5 Barren lands reforested with multi-purpose

trees.

Extent of barren lands reforested.

Activity 3.5.1 Preparation of existing land use maps.

25




Activity 3.5.2 Establishment of a community plant nursery.

IUCN M&E reports. Land ownership/ encroachment will affect the activity.

Activity 3.5.3 Tree planting campaign.

Activity 3.5.4 Tree care taking plan.

Expected Results Result 4: Strengthened local institutional mechanism to ensure

sustainable livelihoods.

Number of institutional units established and operational.

Output 4.1 Mobilisation process activated

Number of programmes (awareness/ training/ shramadana) conducted.

Activity 4.1.1 Awareness programmes. IUCN M&E reports. Political interference will affect independence of institutions.

Activity 4.1.2 Training programmes on topics identified.

IUCN progress reports. Political disaggregation of the community can affect collective works.

Activity 4.1.3 Shramadana programmes.

Output 4.2 Community groups formed.

Number of community groups/ societies established.

Activity 4.2.1 Formation of small groups.

Activity 4.2.2 Formation of village committees.

IUCN progress reports. Alcoholism will become a constraint.

Activity 4.2.3 Formation of cascade management committee.

Activity 4.2.4 Linkage development with private sector for inputs and marketing.

Expected Results Result 5: Sound knowledge base developed for tank cascade

management.

A database is available with physical, ecological and socio-economic data and local knowledge and best practices compiled.

Output 5.1 Socio-economic database established.

Number of villages with established socio-economic database.

Activity 5.1.1 Preparation of the questionnaire.

IUCN database. Reluctance of community for providing correct information.

26




Activity 5.1.2 Questionnaire field testing. IUCN database. Reluctance of community for providing correct information.

Activity 5.1.3 Training enumerators.

Activity 5.1.4 Conducting the questionnaire survey.

Activity 5.1.5 Establishment of the socio-economic database for Kapiriggama tank cascade.

Output 5.2 Physical resources database established

Number of villages with established physical resources database.

Activity 5.2.1 GIS mapping for preparing existing land use maps.

Activity 5.2.2 Collection of climate and soil data.

IUCN database. Reliability of information provided by community and security of instruments.

Activity 5.2.3 Collection of basic tank data.

Activity 5.2.4 Installation of water measurement instruments.

Activity 5.2.5 Water management and water quality monitoring programme.

Activity 5.2.6 Collection of land ownership data.

Activity 5.2.7 Collection of groundwater data.

Activity 5.2.8 Establishment of the physical database for Kapiriggama tank cascade.

Output 5.3 Ecological database established.

Number of villages with established ecological database.

Activity 5.3.1 Review of existing documents.

Activity 5.3.2 Ecological survey on fauna.

IUCN database.

Activity 5.3.3 Ecological survey on flora.

Activity 5.3.4 Establishment of the ecological database for Kapiriggama tank cascade.

Output 5.4 Local knowledge and best practices compiled.

Number of local practices compiled.

Activity 5.4.1 Gathering information on local knowledge and best practices.

Activity 5.4.2 Compilation of local knowledge and best practices.

Publications. Reliability of information provided by the community.

27




Expected Results Result 6: Learning, sharing and adaptive management in cascade

tank systems enhanced.

Number of documents published.

Output 6.1 Previous cascade restoration experiences learnt.

Document on ‘Experiences Learnt from Previous Cascade Development Projects’ prepared.

Activity 6.1.1 Review of available reports (published and unpublished) on cascade restoration.

Publications.

Activity 6.1.2 Interviews with persons involved in previous cascade programmes.

IUCN publication.

Activity 6.1.3 Visits to previously restored tank cascades.

Activity 6.1.4 Compilation of previous experience and recommendations.

Output 6.2 Present experience on cascade restoration shared with

others.

Number of articles published/ presentations made.

Activity 6.2.1 Sharing experience with NCC.

Activity 6.2.2 Participation in relevant workshops/ seminars/ symposiums etc.

Publications.

Activity 6.2.3 Preparation of a practitioners’ guide book on the tank cascade development.

Output 6.3 Replicability of the project interventions assessed.

Feasibility of restoration of another cascade.

Activity 6.3.1 Selection of a tank cascade for restoration.

Activity 6.3.2 Feasibility study with need assessment.

Feasibility report and project proposal.

Activity 6.3.3 Preparation of the programme proposal for cascade restoration.

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4.6. Work plan

Code Activity 2013 2014 2015

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

0.0 General project activities

i. Project launching

ii. Identification of national committee members and preparation of TOR

iii. Preparation of consultancy contracts and MOU

iv. Recruitment of project staff

v. Initial field visits and discussion with local implementing partners

vi. Meeting with provincial political authority

vii. Signing MOU with DAD

viii. Initial awareness and planning

ix. Deploying the social mobilizer

x. Monitoring and evaluation programme

1.1 Preparation of plans and estimates for tank rehabilitation

1.1.1 Preliminary investigation

1.1.2 Tank bed survey

1.1.3 Sediment depth survey

1.1.4 Preparation of plans and estimates

1.2 Head works of tanks

1.2.1 Partial removal of sediment

1.2.2 Repairs to bund, sluice, spill etc.

1.3 Downstream development activities

1.3.1 Repairs to/ construction of retaining wall

1.3.2 Canal system repairs/ construction

1.3.3 Construction of distribution structures

1.3.4 Restoration of common drainage (Kiul Ela)

1.4 Restoration of tank ecosystems

1.4.1 Participatory planning of tank ecosystems

1.4.2 Collection of planting materials

1.4.3 Tree planting programme in kattakaduwa and gasgommana

1.4.4 Construction of godawala, iswetiya and yathuruwala

1.4.5 Formation of Youth Environment Group (YEG)

1.4.6 Establishment of herbal gardens (aushda uyan)

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1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

2.1 Community agro-well construction in command areas

2.1.1 Location selection of community wells

2.1.2 Preparation of estimates

2.1.3 Provision of inputs

2.1.4 Participatory well construction works

2.2 Crop diversification in the command area

2.2.1 Participatory planning for crop diversification

2.2.2 Input supply arrangements

2.2.3 Crop cultivation in yala season

2.2.4 Marketing arrangements

2.3 Soil fertility enhancement of paddy fields

2.3.1 Green manure tree planting (Gliricidia, Thespesia populnea, Adhatoda vasica, Citronella etc.)

2.3.2 Adoption of natural pest control and bio-pesticides

2.3.3 Introduction of traditional rice farming

3.1 Rain-fed farming improvement in tank catchments

3.1.1 Soil and water conservation

3.1.2 Conservation farming

3.1.3 In-situ rainwater harvesting

3.1.4 Organic farming

3.2 Organic fertiliser production

3.2.1 Training on organic fertiliser preparation

3.2.2 Use of aquatic weeds for compost preparation

3.2.3 Bio-pesticide and liquid organic fertiliser as an income generation avenue for women

3.3 Home garden productivity improvement

3.3.1 Home garden planning

3.3.2 Soil and water conservation

3.3.3 Planting fruit trees

3.3.4 Fertility enhancement (live fence, organic liquid fertiliser, compost, recycle bins)

3.4 Natural stream restoration in the tank catchments

3.4.1 Investigation of natural streams

3.4.2 Cleaning natural streams

3.4.3 Stream protection tree planting

3.5 Reforestation of barren lands

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1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

3.5.1 Preparation of existing land use maps

3.5.2 Establishment of community plant nursery

3.5.3 Tree planting campaign

3.5.4 Tree care taking plan

4.1 Community mobilisation programme

4.1.1 Awareness programmes

4.1.2 Training programmes on topics identified

4.1.3 Shramadana programmes

4.2 Community group formation

4.2.1 Formation of small groups

4.2.2 Formation of village committees

4.2.3 Formation of cascade management committee

4.2.4 Linkage development with private sector for inputs and marketing

5.1 Socio-economic database

5.1.1 Preparation of the questionnaire

5.1.2 Questionnaire field testing

5.1.3 Training enumerators

5.1.4 Conducting the questionnaire survey

5.1.5 Establishment of the socio-economic database for Kapiriggama tank cascade

5.2 Physical resources database

5.2.1 PGIS mapping for preparing existing land use maps

5.2.2 Collection of climate and soil data

5.2.3 Collection of basic tank and water balance data

5.2.4 Installation of water measurement instruments

5.2.5 Water management and water quality monitoring programme

5.2.6 Collection of land ownership data

5.2.7 Collection of groundwater data

5.2.8 Establishment of the physical database for Kapiriggama tank cascade

5.3 Ecological database

5.3.1 Review of existing documents

5.3.2 Ecological survey on fauna

5.3.3 Ecological survey on flora

5.3.4 Establishment of the ecological database for Kapiriggama tank cascade

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1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

5.4 Local knowledge and best practices

5.4.1 Gathering information on local knowledge and best practices

5.4.2 Compilation of local knowledge and best practices

6.1 Previous cascade restoration experiences

6.1.1 Review of available reports (published and unpublished) on cascade restoration

6.1.2 Interviews with persons involved in previous cascade programmes

6.1.3 Visits to previously restored tank cascades

6.1.4 Compilation of previous experience and recommendations

6.2 Sharing present experience with others

6.2.1 Sharing experience with NCC

6.2.2 Participation in relevant workshops/ seminars/ symposiums etc.

6.2.3 Preparation of a practitioners’ guide book on the tank cascade development

6.3 Replicability assessment

6.3.1 Selection of a tank cascade for restoration

6.3.2 Feasibility study with need assessment

6.3.3 Preparation of the programme proposal for cascade restoration

7.0 National workshop on findings and future scope

The focus during the period of January-March 2016 will be consolidate institutional strengthening for cascade management and to share

lessons learned.

32

4.7. Monitoring and reporting

The project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system will consist of impact and outcome

indicators, derived from the Project’s overall and specific objectives, where average annual

income, proper livelihood opportunities and lowland cropping intensity are enhanced with the

project interventions. Further, a series of result and output indicators are available to ensure

the effective assessment of progress, and provide timely feedback for possible changes that

might be required in the course of implementation due to unforeseen changes in the socio-

economic context of the project, as well as programme strategy.

IUCN will provide the conceptual and operational mechanism for the monitoring and impact

assessment components of the project. The progress monitoring system is structured to

gather information from beneficiaries, stakeholder agencies and IUCN field staff, with

adequate transparency, where all the parties can interact in order to change and modify the

programme. This will facilitate sharing of good practices and lessons learned, and ensure

complementarities and synergies among similar ongoing programmes.

Gender-sensitive indicators and targets will be established, so that gender-sensitive

monitoring and evaluation can be conducted. Initially, special attention will be given to

continuous monitoring of the progress of identified activities. Then, regular and systematic

outcome monitoring will be carried out. The results and outputs of the project will be monitored

through the gender-sensitive indicators that are detailed in the project’s logical framework.

The progress of the project will be monitored at two main levels — project activity monitoring

and results-based monitoring.

4.7.1. Project activity monitoring

At the field level, monitoring of the project will take place through the field coordinator, with the

support of DO and ARPAs of DAD, GNs and DOs of DS, AIs of DOA, and occasional surveys

of the students of Rajarata University. The IUCN field coordinator will prepare monthly

monitoring and progress report on project activities, which will be consolidated by the M&E

system of IUCN, in order to be shared with stakeholders and the donor. This information will

also alert IUCN about problems, which can then be addressed in a timely manner.

4.7.2. Results based monitoring (RBM)

The M&E Unit of IUCN will monitor the progress of the project against the indicators of results

and outputs set out in the project logical framework.

Output indicators for each result will enhance regular monitoring and evaluation of programme

performance, including identification of potential problems and/or successes and lessons

learnt. The indicators will also be used to assess results during evaluation, including

beneficiary satisfaction, with results.

The selection of appropriate indicators is critical to a results-oriented monitoring and

evaluation system. They are signs of changes in certain conditions and results from specific

interventions. They also provide evidence of the progress of the project in achieving the

objectives of the programme strategy.

33

Indicators must be appropriate in relation to the improvement and sustainability objectives of

the programme. They should also include participation of all stakeholders — the beneficiaries,

government authorities, line departments and other relevant actors involved in the process.

Indicators should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and traceable.

Project monitoring, reporting and evaluation will be carried out in accordance with established

IUCN procedures. A logical framework matrix will provide performance and impact indicators

for project implementation, along with corresponding means of verification. These will form the

basis on which the project’s monitoring, reporting and evaluation system will be built.

4.8. Communication and visibility

The project will have high visibility, both within the country, and in the region. In Sri Lanka, the

restoration of tanks has been identified as a national priority and, thus, is be of national

interest.

The project will include an allocation of resources for a short documentary, which can be used

for disseminating information and lessons learned, while also enhancing the project’s visibility.

News and magazine articles will also feature the project, and IUCN will invite media personnel

to the site for a field visit.

A clip of the documentary, pictures, regular updates and project progress will be uploaded on

to the IUCN website, and will also be shared with HSBC. Information about the project can be

shared through HSBC newsletters, its website and other internal communications, and IUCN

will have material available for sharing.

34

ANNEX I: BUDGET

EXPENDITURE Expenditure

HSBC Water

program

contribution

USD USD

(I) Project costs

(for example. labour, material, equipment, training, activities etc.)

Rapid assessment on tank restoration needs, and setting

of socio-economic and environmental baselines

25, 000 15, 000

Community mobilisation 20, 000 10, 000

Restoration of tanks and their ecosystems, including

necessary technical studies

280, 000

250, 000

Restoration of watersheds and improvement to soil

conservation

40, 000

40, 000

Capacity building on restoration, watershed conservation,

water and soil conservation, supplementary livelihoods

and institutional arrangements

(establishment of a cascade level management

mechanism)

30, 000 20, 000

Learning, sharing and preparation of awareness materials

for targeted area and adjoining areas

30, 000 25, 000

Monitoring 15, 000 10, 000

Equipment and supplies 20, 000 20, 000

Consultancies and labour 75, 000 60, 000

Subtotal A 535, 000 450, 000

Project management and administration 50, 000 50, 000

Rent 20, 000

Subtotal B 70, 000 50, 000

Total Expenditure (A+B) 605, 000 500, 000

About IUCN

IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges.

IUCN’s work focuses on valuing and conserving nature, ensuring effective and equitable governance of its use, and deploying nature-based solutions to global challenges in climate, food and development. IUCN supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world, and brings governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice.

IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organisation, with almost 1,300 government and NGO Members and more than 15,000 volunteer experts in 185 countries. Its work is supported by almost 1,000 staff in 45 offices and hundreds of partners in public, NGO and private sectors around the world. IUCN has been working in Sri Lanka since 1986.

www.iucn.org

December 2015

INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE

Sri Lanka Country OfficeNo. 53 Horton PlaceColombo 7Sri Lanka

Tel. +94 11 2682418, 2682488, 5734786 Fax+94 11 [email protected]://www.iucn.org/srilanka

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