- Resource System
- Watershed and associated topography
- Resource Units
- Freshwater
- Location
- Pakistan
The resource appropriated from this watercourse in Area One (actual names of communities were removed in the case study) is water for irrigation. Area One is a large irrigation system managed by a government bureaucracy. There are no formal organizations at the watercourse level, though informal arrangements exist in all watercourses for mobilizing farmers to carry out maintenance on a communal basis. The system as a whole is not managed effectively. There are over 5000 total appropriator teams appropriating from the resource. This is one of four cases studies used in a comparative case study conducted by Bottral.
Governance and management of Area One: There are major irregularities in tubewell operation and management. These were attributed to technical or design factors, as well as socio-political barriers. Decision-making in Area One was found to be over-centralized. The watercourse exhibited a fragmented management pattern at the project level, which is reinforced by the horizontal governance structure of provincial and national administration.
This case study is part of the original Common-Pool Resource (CPR) database. A summary of the original CPR coding conducted in the 1980s by Edella Schlager and Shui Yan Tang at Indiana University may be found under the CPR tab under Institutional Analysis
The resource appropriated from A Watercourse in Area One is water for irrigation. The irrigation system of interest consists of a watercourse (with no public tubewells) that delivers water to farmlands.
SCREENER:
Case: A Watercourse in Area One, Pakistan
The information regarding the following common-pool resource system was taken from empirical evidence from a field setting. Data on the system was extracted from a paper issued by a scholar or research institution. Currently, there are no additional documents to cite which may provide further information about this common-pool resource.
These documents describe four resources in detail. The primary resource is the A Watercourse in Area One, situated in A Watercourse in Area One of Pakistan. More generally, it is located in Middle East & South Asia. The system's sector is that of water. Relatively good information has been collected about the stakes of participants who appropriate from A Watercourse in Area One. The condition of this resource is well understood. Complete information is not available regarding the strategies used by key groups interacting with the system. There is thorough documentation of the operational rules for this resource. This is the result of a high level of confidence that the authors who recorded the features of A Watercourse in Area One have a complete knowledge of its particulars. Furthermore, the authors have provided sufficient data to formulate a structured coding process.
There are over 5000 total appropriator teams appropriating from the resource . Appropriator teams for the resource are always formally organized.
Bottrall develops an analytical framework to evaluate irrigation project management in developing countries, based on a literature review and 4 field studies in South and East Asia (bureaucratic system vs. irrigation association with full-time officials, system with vs. without formal watercourse organizations and rules). A principal focus is the performance of the activity of water distribution, since it is peculiar to irrigated agriculture. He identifies and recommends organizational structures and management procedures most likely to serve the interests of the rural poor, especially small farmers and those at the tail-end of a system, and concludes that there are great opportunities to improve performance of irrigation projects via management reform and better water distribution. Appendix A is a checklist, Guidelines for Analysis. Area One is a large irrigation system managed by a government bureaucracy. There are no formal organizations at the watercourse level, though informal arrangements exist in all watercourses for mobilizing farmers to carry out maintenance on a communal basis. The system as a whole is not managed effectively. (Bottrall provided Country)
CITATION(S):
Bottrall, A. F. (1981) "Comparative Study of the Management and Organization of Irrigation Projects." World Bank Working Paper No. 458. Washington, DC: World Bank.*
The resource appropriated from A Watercourse in Area One is water for irrigation. It is produced physically and is a renewable moving (fugitive) unit. The irrigation system of interest consists of a watercourse (with no public tubewells) that delivers water to farmlands.
The boundary of this resource has natural/constructed attributes which do not limit entry. The boundaries of this resource are the same as the location, and exist in one country, and are not divided among multiple general purpose local jurisdictions at a single level. The boundaries of this resource are independent of a development project designed by non-residents.
There are not distinct and stable micro-environmental or ecological zones within this resource (educated guess).
There are strategic points within the resource where the main flow of the water for irrigation can be controlled (inferred). There is considerable, and mildly predictable variation over space in the availability of water for irrigation within the resource (inferred). There is considerable, and mildly predictable variation in the flow of water for irrigation within a single year (inferred). The case study did not include information regarding whether or not there is considerable variation in the flow of water for irrigation from year to year.
The topography of the resource or the land immediately around the resource is relatively flat (inferred).
The boundaries of the production resource are totally seperated from the boundaries of the appropriation resource (confident). The boundaries of the production resource are totally seperated from the boundaries of the location (confident). The boundaries of the distribution resource are not identical to the boundaries of the appropriation resource. The distribution resource is a facility connected to the appropriation resource (confident). The boundaries of the production resource are not equivalent to the boundaries of the distribution resource. The production resource is a facility connected to the distribution resource (confident).
The headworks (production resource) are operated by the same agency(s) (or the same group(s) of people) as the appropriation resource, but the agency(s) or the group(s) of people are not the sole operator(s) of the headworks (inferred). A regular agency(s) of a regional government (e.g. State Department of Water Resources) operates the headworks for this system (inferred). The irrigators being served by this production organization do not participate in the selection of the officials of the production agency except as citizens in a general election (highly confident). The distribution system is operated by the same agency(s) or the groups(s) of people as the appropriation system, but the distribution system is not solely operated by the same agency(s) (or the same group(s) of people) as the appropriation resource (inferred). A regular agency(s) of a regional government (e.g. State Department of Water Resources) operate(s) the distribution system (inferred). The irrigators being served by this production organization do not participate in the selection of the officials of the distribution agency, except as citizens in a general election (highly confident). The distribution system is solely operated by the same agency(s) (or the same group(s) of people) as the headworks of the system (inferred).
LOCATION:
The appropriation resources are situated in an area served by a watercourse in a large irrigation system. The boundaries of the location are the boundaries of a watercourse. The appropriation resource present in this location consists of a watercourse that delivers water to farmlands.
The system is located within one country. A permanent population lives year round in this location (inferred). Additionally, the most common mode of transportation in this region is -1. This location is also characterized by an economy that is stable and tied to other economic networks during the entire time period (educated guess).
The latitude of this location is -1, and its longitude is -1. The elevation of this location is -1 meters. The highest elevation is -1. The lowest elevation of this location is -1. The region's average annual rainfall is 425 milimeters (inferred). The region's average annual evapotranspiration is unknown. The distribution of rainfall and evapotranspiration per month is as follows:
January precipitation: unknown, evapotraspiration: unknown
February precipitation: unknown, evapotraspiration: unknown
March precipitation: unknown, evapotraspiration: unknown
April precipitation: unknown, evapotraspiration: unknown
May precipitation: unknown, evapotraspiration: unknown
June precipitation: unknown, evapotraspiration: unknown
July precipitation: unknown, evapotraspiration: unknown
August precipitation: unknown, evapotraspiration: unknown
September precipitation: unknown, evapotraspiration: unknown
October precipitation: unknown, evapotraspiration: unknown
November precipitation: unknown, evapotraspiration: unknown
December precipitation: unknown, evapotraspiration: unknown
The resource appropriated from A Watercourse in Area One is water for irrigation. The irrigation system of interest consists of a watercourse (with no public tubewells) that delivers water to farmlands.
OPERATIONAL LEVEL:
TYPE OF SITUATION
The processes described in the related documents are primarily related to appropriation, distribution, and production. The formal owner(s) of the resource discussed in this study is a regional government. The set of individuals who have rights to withdraw from this resource is well-defined. As of the beginning of this period, the owners are exercising (or attempting to exercise de jure) and effective in gaining closed access to this resource. Since the beginning of this period, the appropriators are exercising (or attempting to exercise de jure) effective closed access to this resource.
EVENTS MARKING THE BEGINNING ACTION SITUATION
It is estimated that the operational level coded on this form ended in 1979. The estimated duration of the patterns that are described in this form is 26 to 50 years. Throughout the duration there were no changes made in operational, collective, or consititutional rules. There was no change in resource size or structure. There was no new technology introduced to the system over the duration of the patterns coded on this form. There was no substantial external change in the value of the units appropriated. The quantity of units available did not change due to a change in appropriation patterns of other appropriators' withdrawals from the same production or distribution resource. There were no new groups starting to withdraw units from the appropriation resource. There was no recorded change to one or more variables internal to the operational level. The variables that changed were -2. The author begins the description of this case at this point in history.
CONDITIONS AT THE BEGINNING AND END OF PERIOD COVERED BY THIS FORM*
For biological resources at the beginning of this period, the balance between the quantity of units withdrawn and the number of units available was not included in the case information. For biological resources at the end of this period, the balance between the quantity of units withdrawn and the number of units available was a moderate shortage (inferred). For physical resources at the beginning of this period, the balance between the quantity of units withdrawn and the quantity of units needed, given the usual patterns of use for these units was not included in the case information. For physical resources at the end of the period the balance between the quantity of units withdrawn and the quantity of units needed, given the usual patterns of use for these units, was a moderate shortage (inferred).
The following includes the available statistics on the use of this resource at the beginning of the time period, followed by the end of the time period:
Square meters of fields irrigated at the beginning of the period: 500000 (educated guess)
Square meters of fields irrigated at the end of the period: 500000 (educated guess)
*In fisheries and other biological systems, this is the maximum sustainable number of units. In irrigation, this refers to the optimal water requirements of the crops in the established fields served by this system.
At the beginning of the period, the units were predominantly used to produce other units.
At the end of the period, the units were predominantly used to produce other units.
As of the beginning of the period, the quality of the units being withdrawn from the resource was not included in the study. As of the end of the period, the quality of the units being withdrawn from the resource was passable (educated guess). At the beginning of the period of the study, there was no information provided regarding whether or not there are problems of pollution in this or other resources, due to the way units are being appropriated. At the end of the period of the study, there were no problems of pollution in this or other resources due to the way units are being appropriated (inferred). As of the beginning of the period, the extent of technical externalities resulting from the appropriation activities of participants from this resource was not indicated. As of the end of the period, the extent of technical externalities resulting from the appropriation activities of participants from this resource was modest (educated guess). At the beginning of this study the appropriation resource was being maintained at a level that was not recorded in the case information. At the end of this study the appropriation resource was experiencing some deterioration due to insufficient maintenance (inferred). At the beginning of this period the appropriators shared levels of trust that are not indicated in the case study. At the end of the period the appropriators shared levels of trust that are not indicated in the case study. ## Unknown markup: Start ##By the end of this period no change had occurred in the property rights regime related to the appropriation resource.
INFORMATION LEVELS
There is no information in the study to indicate the availability of maps or charts of the appropration resource for use by the appropriators. Maps and/or charts of the production and distribution resources are available to appropriators (educated guess). The appropriators of this resource can be seen by each other while withdrawing units from the resource (educated guess). No appropriators are in radio communication with each other while appropriating from the resource (educated guess). There are actions being taken, by appropriators or officials, to generate information about the condition of the resource (inferred). There was no information in the study about whether or not there are records of the withdrawals from this resource kept in a systematic way. There was no information in the study about whether or not there are records of the physical factors which directly affected the resource kept in a systematic way. There are not records of the appropriators' contributions to monitoring of the resource kept in a systematic way (inferred). There are not records of the appropriators' contribution to the maintenance of the resource kept in a systematic way (inferred). There is no information in the study to indicate whether or not records are kept in a language accessible to most of the appropriators. The keepers of these records are not indicated as being "officials" or "non-officials" in this case study. The case study did not indicate whether or not these records are available for inspection by appropriators. The study did not indicate whether or not there are arenas being used for the exchange of information about conditions of the resource. Appropriators get together to discuss mutual problems of the resource at a frequency which was not included in the case study. The appropriators have a considerable familiarity with the characteristics of this resource (educated guess).
POTENTIAL ACTIONS AND LEVELS OF CONTROL
There are non-appropriators that made up a specialized staff or workers to undertake maintenance (inferred). The quality or quantity of the units available to the appropriators are not documented as having experienced any effect of past appropriators. There are not problems of pollution resulting from activities of others who are not appropriators of this resource or inhabitants of this location (e.g. acid rain, sewage disposal) (educated guess). There does not appear to be an insurance mechanism available to the appropriators related to variability of income from the resource (educated guess).
PATTERNS OF INTERACTION
Differences between subgroups relating to gender identification does not affect communication (educated guess). Differences between subgroups relating to ethnic identification are not included in the case study. Differences between subgroups relating to clan identification are not included in the case study. Differences between subgroups relating to racial identification are not included in the case study. Differences between subgroups relating to caste identification are not included in the case study. Differences between subgroups relating to religious identification are not included in the case study. Differences between subgroups relating to languages spoken does not exist (inferred). Differences between subgroups relating to general cultural views of the resource system and its use does not exist (inferred). Differences between subgroups relating to any problems that affect communication are not included in the case study.
The general manner in which appropriators related to one another during this study is a relatively neutral, quid-pro-quo manner -- each exchange was evaluated for what it might bring (inferred). If someone violates the rules-in-use related to the appropriation process from this resource, it is likely as not that an official monitor or guard would move to impose sanctions. It is likely that local appropriators would attempt to bribe an official if an official monitor or guard moved to impose sanctions (educated guess).
POSITIONS AND PARTICIPANTS
At the end of the period studied there was no information coded to indicate whether or not the position of non-appropriator (individuals prevented from using the resource) existed. At the beginning of the period there was a general estimate of 25-50 appropriators (educated guess). There was a general estimate of 25-50 appropriators at the end of the period (educated guess). The "official" position of monitor (apart from the willingness of all appropriators to monitor) does exist, and monitors are employees of an external governmental authority (highly confident). This position monitors rules devised by regional collective choice processes (column 2 of the rules form) and rules-in-use.
The appropriators monitor the appropriation activities of each other apart from the monitoring of any "official" guards (ambiguous). The general estimate for the number of official monitors on duty at one time during peak hours was 1-5 (inferred). Official monitors are paid in money. Almost all of the monitors were full-time (inferred).
NUMBER AND RELATIONSHIPS AMONG SUBGROUPS
There will be 1 subgroup form(s) completed in relation to this operational level form. The ID number(s) of the subgroup(s) coded are as follows: 72.1 - 0 - 0 - 0
EVALUATION OF RESULTS
There are appropriators who were consistently disadvantaged in this period (inferred). The relatively worst off appropriators have not been cut out of their benefits from this resource or substantially harmed (educated guess). By the end of the period studied the distance between those who were the least advantaged and those who were the most advantaged could be characterized as remaining relatively constant over time (educated guess).
AUTHOR'S EVALUATION AND CAUSAL ASSUMPTIONS
In this coding form the author focuses on the readers' concept of results and the evaluation of results (inferred).
There is unsatisfactory productivity, equity, environmental stability, cost, and cost recovery. This is due to physical factors as well as organization and management. The author captures some, but not all, of the concepts of the results. The author evaluates the efficiency of this system as low, based on productivity, crop intensity, yields, and water losses. The author proposed means of increasing efficiency. See "Introduction and Summary" (pp.1-25).. The author discusses withdrawals per unit of effort based on -1
SUBGROUP:
Participants:
The criteria for who is a member is well defined (inferred). Membership at the start of this group numbered 50 (educated guess). This group ended with a membership of 50 (educated guess). An estimated 10%-25% of this group is literate in a language that records or publications about this resource and/or location (or other similar resources) is kept (educated guess).
The following statements characterize the composition of this subgroup's population with respect to variables that may affect the capacity to communicate effectively:
The difference in composition with regard to gender identification does not affect communication (educated guess). There is no difference in composition with regard to languages spoken (inferred).
.
Legal Rights:
Members of this subgroup have de jure rights of access (inferred). The right to withdraw is held by this subgroup de jure (inferred). Rights to participate in management of this resource is held de jure (inferred). The separable right of transfer to the flow of units from this resource is not held either by de jure nor de facto (educated guess). The separable rights to exercise transfer to shares of this appropriation resource, or closely related production and/or distribution resources are neither held de jure nor de facto (educated guess). Transferring shares of major appropriation equipment which are necessary to engage in appropriation is not exercised either je jure nor de facto## Unknown column: EQUIPSHAR ##.
Stakes and Resources:
The length of time this subgroup has regularly appropriated from this resource is 26 through 50 years (educated guess). Around 91%-100% of members reside in or adjacent to this resource (educated guess). Most people in this subgroup are very dependent (i.e. most of the family income) on this resource (inferred). Less than 10% of this subgroup work a substantial amount of time in activities not associated with appropriation from this resource (inferred). The proportion of this subgroup that currently appropriates similar units from other resources is less than 10% (inferred). Given the economy of the location, the average annual family income (including all non-monetary forms of income) is considered average (educated guess). The variance of the average annual family income across families is high (inferred). Capital is owned by 51%-75% of this subgroup (confident). No real alternatives for the supply unit are available (educated guess).
Potential Actions and Levels of Control:
Keeping in mind the physically available levels of withdrawal that are possible from this resource, the following shows the extent to which rules concerning different aspects of withdrawal constrain appropriation: technological rules lightly constrain, time limits which limit the range of choice moderately constrain (educated guess), quantity limits which limit the range of choice moderately constrain (educated guess), and marginal units or units obtained by increasing levels of appropriation have a moderate value immediate return (educated guess).
Technology:
The appropriative power of the technology used threatens the balance between units withdrawn and units available even if no new users are added (inferred).
Strategies Adopted:
At the end of the period the rate of unit withdrawals was constant (educated guess). In irrigation, appropriation resources (at the beginning of the period) produce mostly grains other than paddy rice, and also sugar cane or beets, and a non-listed product. In irrigation, the appropriation resources (at the end of the period) produce mainly grains other than paddy rice, and also sugar cane or beets, and a non-listed product. During this time period members have invested resources, such as their own labor, in maintaining or improving the structure of the appropriation resource (inferred). Investment into constructing or improving production or distribution works for maintaining or improving their resource has not been made by members (inferred). Members do not have access to an alternative source of supply (educated guess). At least one member has assumed entrepreneurial activity in trying to achieve coordinated strategies in relationship to investment or maintenance (educated guess). In characterizing the usual behavior of the members of this subgroup with respect to local operation level rules-in-use (other than in extreme shortage), it can be said that most of the members follow the rules (educated guess). The level of infraction of members who are not rule followers is generally small (inferred). No action has been proposed to alter the operational or collective-choice rules affecting the appropriation from this resource (inferred).
Subgroup Results:
This subgroup appropriates 91%-100% of its total appropriated units at the end of this period (confident). By the end of this time period the appropriates from this resource have remained approximately constant (inferred). The absolute quantity of appropriation units obtained by this group has remained constant (inferred).
The resource appropriated from A Watercourse in Area One is water for irrigation. The irrigation system of interest consists of a watercourse (with no public tubewells) that delivers water to farmlands.
OPERATIONAL RULES:
Concerning national collective choice relating to the resource, there is a national level of government, but it does not exercise jurisdiction in relation to the type of resource appropriated by this subgroup. Concerning regional collective choice, the author provides a few detailed references to operational level rules as devised by regional collective choice mechanism which have been coded below..
With regard to local collective choice, there is a local level of government or organization of appropriators, but it does not exercise jurisdiction in relation to the type of resource appropriated by this subgroup.
Boundary Rules
The following rules define the requirements that must be met before individuals are eligible to harvest or withdraw units from the appropriation resource.
The national and local level(s) of government or organization had no jurisdiction over the resource.
A rule exists requiring ownership or leasing of land in the location of the resource. This rule is enforced at the regional and rules-in-use level(s).
Entry rights may be transmitted to anyone designated by the original owner.
Within one generation of potential resource appropriators, entry rights can be given, leased, rented, sold or transferred to others.
When transfer on a temporary or permanent basis is allowed, the person who makes the transfer determines to whom such rights can be transferred.
Authority and Scope Rules
The default conditions for both authority and scope rules do not apply.
The following paragraphs include information on rules of 1 cycle(s).
Authority Rules:
The national and local level(s) of government or organization had no jurisdiction over the resource.
There is a rule requiring withdrawal at a fixed time slot, based on the amount of land held. This rule is enforced at the regional and rules-in-use level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules.
There is a rule forbidding withdrawal whenever and wherever desired, based on unspecific criteria. This rule is enforced at the regional and rules-in-use level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules.
The authority and scope rules do not apply to whether or not certain subgroups received substantially unequal privileges, because there is only one subgroup.
Scope Rules:
The national and local level(s) of government or organization had no jurisdiction over the resource.
There is a rule requiring a periodically assessed appropriation tax, based on the needs during time period. This rule is enforced at the regional level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules.
There is a rule requiring regular maintanence labor input however, the basis criteria for this rule was not included in the case information. This rule is enforced at the rules-in-use level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules.
There is a rule requiring emergency repair labor however, the basis criteria for this rule was not included in the case information. This rule is enforced at the rules-in-use level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules.
Information Rules
There exists a rule requiring recording of the condition of the resource. This rule is enforced at the regional and rules-in-use level(s).
This information was recorded by a regional administrative body.
There exists a rule requiring recording appropriators' claims to the flow of units from the resource. This rule is enforced at the regional and rules-in-use level(s).
This information was recorded by a regional administrative body.
Payoff Rules
The default condition, that all appropriators can retain whatever they can physically keep hold of and no external rewards, taxes, or sanctions are imposed is not imposed in this case. The authors have the following confidence level for the results of this section: inferred. Incarceration is not imposed as penalty on appropriators for breaking rules related to the appropriation of this resource. Appropriators may not lose their entry or appropriation rights for breaking rules related to the appropriation of the resource. Appropriators cannot obtain external aid to develop their appropriation technologies. Appropriators can obtain aid from a regional (private or public) agency(s) to develop or repair their production, distribution, or appropriation resources. Appropriators can obtain aid from a regional (private or public) agency(s) to develop technologies for using the resource units. Appropriators are not party to price support contracts or guaranteed purchase agreements for the selling of resource units or commodities produced by resource units.
The following percentages indicate the percentages assigned to individual positions. If more than one percentage is listed per position, the individual percentages refer to the different arrangements existing within the operational rules.
Aggregation Rules
Overall Questions About Rules Configuration
The general framework of the rules-in-use has governed the activities of this subgroup for 26 to 50 years.
Irrigation watercourse, "Area One", Pakistan, 1981
Resource System
Irrigation watercourse
Resource Users
Farmers
Public Infrastructure Providers
Irrigation Ministry
Agriculture Ministry
Public Infrastructure
- Hard Infrastructure: Tubewells, canals
- Soft Infrastructure: i) Formal norms: Unskilled labor for maintenance
ii) Informal social norms: farmers
Relationship 1
Ownership of agricultural land within the area that is marked as "Area One".
Relationship 2
RU --> PIP:
No evidence of resource users having a say in the appointment or retention of PIP.
PIP --> RU: Ownership of the land within the watercourse lends rights of water withdrawal/ harvesting units.
Relationship 3
PIP --> PI:
- Provision of a network of canals and tubewells within the watercourse
- General administrators and technocrats to plan and monitor usage
The horizontal organizational structure of two separate provincial and national administration reinforces fragmented pattern at the project level (Irrigation and Agriculture Ministry).
Relationship 4
i) The irrigation system suffered a number of technical faults due to the negligence of tubewell operators, poor morale of supervisory staff, poorly trained and under-staffed maintenance engineers.
ii) Lack of adequate information and knowledge among farmers about tubewell management impedes effective operation and maintenance.
Relationship 5
To supervise water distribution and management:
- Tubewell operators and agriculture extension services officials (government appointed, non-appropriators)
- External agency officials are appointed
Relationship 6
- Farmers have a responsibility of maintenance of PI below the watercourse outlet in the area.
Exogenous Drivers 7 (Resource System)
Climatic and biological hazards, Lack of funding for maintenance.
Exogenous Drivers 7 (Public Infrastructure)
Quality of project planning, design and construction.
Exogenous Drivers 8 (Resource Users)
(none specified)Exogenous Drivers 8 (Public Infrastructure Providers)
National and international economic policies
Human Infrastructure, Private and Human-Made (Resource Users)
(none specified)Human Infrastructure, Private and Human-Made (Public Infrastructure Providers)
(none specified)Comparative Study of the Management and Organization of Irrigation Projects. Staff Working Paper.
. 1981.