Sananeri Tank irrigation system, India

RESOURCE:

The resource appropriated from Sananeri Tank is water for irrigation. The resource discussed in this study includes a tank and the channels that divert water to the field.

SCREENER:

Case: Sananeri Tank, India

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 additional documents to cite which may provide further information about this common-pool resource.

These documents describe one resource in detail. The primary resource is the Sananeri Tank, situated in Sananeri of India. 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 Sananeri Tank. The condition of this resource is well understood. Complete information is 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 Sananeri Tank have a complete knowledge of its particulars. Furthermore, the authors have provided sufficient data to formulate a structured coding process.

There are 101-200 total appropriator teams appropriating from the resource . Appropriator teams for the resource are always formally organized.

Meinzen-Dick's study is based upon field research of a small-scale irrigation tank in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu. She shows that nonformal local cultivators' associations make an important contribution to the overall performance of the irrigation system, even where government agencies are formally responsible for irrigation. Such organizations mobilize local resources in various tasks, including inspection and repair of physical structures, acquisition and distribution of tank water, and interaction with government bureaucracies on tank-related issues. Leaders of the organization are accountable directly to the cultivators, and are neither created nor controlled by a government agency.

CITATION(S):

Meinzen-Dick, Ruth S. (1984) LOCAL MANAGEMENT OF TANK IRRIGATION IN SOUTH INDIA: ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION. Cornell Studies in Irrigation No. 3. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University.*

RESOURCE INFO:

The resource appropriated from Sananeri Tank is water for irrigation. It is produced physically and is a renewable moving (fugitive) unit. The resource discussed in this study includes a tank and the channels that divert water to the field.

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 distinct and stable micro-environmental or ecological zones within this resource (inferred). The quality and/or quantity of units is regularly better in some of the zones than in others (inferred).

There are strategic points within the resource where the main flow of the water for irrigation can be controlled (highly confident). 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 (highly confident). There is considerable, but unpredictable variation in the flow of water for irrigation from year to year (inferred).

The topography of the resource or the land immediately around the resource is moderately sloping (educated guess).

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 not operated by the same agency(s) (or the same group(s) of people) as the appropriation resource (inferred). A specially designated regional governmental enterprise(s) or officials operates the headworks for this system (confident). 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 (inferred). The distribution system is not operated by the same agency(s) (or the same group(s) of people) as the appropriation resource (inferred). A specially designated regional governmental enterprise(s) or officials operate(s) the distribution system (confident). 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 (inferred). 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 Sananeri Tank and the field irrigated by its water. The boundaries of the location are natural. The appropriation resource present in this location consists of Sananeri Tank and the channels that direct water to the fields (coding). There is also a groundwater table that supplies water through private wells; Sananeri Tank which provides silt for brick manufacture; trees along the foreshore; tank bed for grazing sheep, goats, and cattle; tank provides standing water for bathing, watering animals and raising fish. Regarding the use of the irrigation system, there were conflictual effects throughout the entire period in the relationships among appropriation processes.

The system is located within one country. A permanent population does not live year round in this location . There is frequent contact and communication between people in this location and officials in a nearby administrative center . This location is also characterized by an economy that is stable and tied to other economic networks during the entire time period (ambiguous).

The latitude of this location is Tirunelveli: 8.45'N, and its longitude is Tirunelveli: 77.43'E. The elevation of this location is 61 meters. The highest elevation is 0. The lowest elevation of this location is 0. The region's average annual rainfall is 8148 milimeters (highly confident). The region's average annual evapotranspiration is 2500 milimeters (highly confident). The distribution of rainfall and evapotranspiration per month is as follows:

January precipitation: 40.2, evapotraspiration: 92

February precipitation: 40.2, evapotraspiration: 67

March precipitation: 46.41, evapotraspiration: 74

April precipitation: 46.41, evapotraspiration: 124

May precipitation: 46.4, evapotraspiration: 159

June precipitation: 27.45, evapotraspiration: 140

July precipitation: 27.45, evapotraspiration: 134

August precipitation: 27.45, evapotraspiration: 132

September precipitation: 27.45, evapotraspiration: 132

October precipitation: 161.9, evapotraspiration: 136

November precipitation: 161.9, evapotraspiration: 123

December precipitation: 161.9, evapotraspiration: 118

RESOURCE:

The resource appropriated from Sananeri Tank is water for irrigation. The resource discussed in this study includes a tank and the channels that divert water to the field.

OPERATIONAL LEVEL:

TYPE OF SITUATION

The processes described in the related documents are primarily related to appropriation, distribution, and production. 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 not indicated as either attempting, or failing to attempt to exercise 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 1982. The estimated duration of the patterns that are described in this form is 26 to 50 years. Throughout the duration there was no indication in this study as to whether or not there are major changes in operational, collective, or consititutional rules. There was no information provided in this study to indicate whether or not there are any changes in the size and/or structure of the resource. There was no indication in this study which indicated whether or not new technology was introduced to the resource during the time of coding. There was no information included in the study to indicate whether or not there was a substantial external change in the value of the units appropriated. The quantity of units available did not have documentation regarding changes due to the appropriation patterns of other appropriators' withdrawals from the same production or distribution resource. There was no information in this study indicating whether or not there were any new groups starting to withdraw units from the appropriation resource. There was no information included in the study to indicate whether or not there was a recorded change to one or more variables internal to the operational level. The author begins the description of this case at this point in history. The author begins at this point in history because The tank has existed at least since 1800. The institutional environment of the tank must have undertaken changes since the independence of India..

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 an extreme 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 an extreme 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 end of the period: 1738400

*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 relatively low (educated guess). At the beginning of this study, the interference between the appropriation technology for this resource and the appropriation processes for other resources in this location was not recorded in the case information. At the end of this study, the interference between the appropriation technology for this resource and the appropriation processes for other resources in this location was moderate (inferred). 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 well maintained, and in excellent working order (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 moderate to high levels of mutual trust (e.g. oral promises given high credence) (inferred). ## 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 are readily available maps or charts of the appropriation resource for use by the appropriators (ambiguous). 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 are not records of the withdrawals from this resource kept in a systematic way (ambiguous). 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 was no information in the study about whether or not there are records of the appropriators' contribution to the maintenance of the resource kept in a systematic way. 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. There are arenas being used for the exchange of information about conditions of the resource (inferred). Appropriators get together to discuss mutual problems of the resource weekly (educated guess). The appropriators have an intimate knowledge of the characteristics of this resource (inferred).

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 adversely affected by the strategies of prior appropriators (educated guess). 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 does not affect communication (educated guess). Differences between subgroups relating to clan identification does not affect communication (educated guess). Differences between subgroups relating to racial identification does not exist (inferred). Differences between subgroups relating to caste identification does not affect communication (educated guess). Differences between subgroups relating to religious identification does not affect communication (educated guess). 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 does not exist (inferred).

The general manner in which appropriators related to one another during this study is a relatively positive, reciprocal manner -- the presumption was made that long-term relationships are involved and positive actions are undertaken without a specific expectation of return (educated guess). The documents present evidence of specific types of cooperative activities between the appropriators related primarily to other local resources (inferred). If someone violates the rules-in-use related to the appropriation process from this resource, it is likely that an official monitor or guard would move 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 101-200 appropriators (educated guess). The "official" position of monitor (apart from the willingness of all appropriators to monitor) does exist, and appropriators are selected by one another for this position (inferred).

The general estimate for the number of official monitors on duty at one time during peak hours was 6-10 (inferred). Official monitors are paid in commodities. None of the monitors were full-time (confident).

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: 11.1 - 0 - 0 - 0

EVALUATION OF RESULTS

The study did not indicate whether or not there are appropriators who were consistently disadvantaged in this period. 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).

The author recorded an increase of water supply from the main system, a reliable distribution of water, reduction in conflict, better maintenance, and greater local control. Ayacut assoc. did well in all these aspects. This was likely due to the personal integrity of officials, mechanisms to hold officials acccountable (those who receive water should be ones that pay acquisition & distribution costs(p.77)), and a somewhat even distribution of landholdings(p.94). Comments recorded regarding evidence that is presented concerning the nature and level of transaction costs are as follows: The nature and level of the transaction costs are associated with different water allocation rules and the amount of money per hectare irrigators spend in irrigation management. The transaction costs are high.

SUBGROUP:

Participants:

The criteria for who is a member is well defined (inferred). Membership at the start of this group numbered 150. This group ended with a membership of 150.

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). Difference in composition with regard to ethnic or cultural identification does not affect communication (educated guess). The difference in composition with regard to clan identification does not affect communication (educated guess). Racial identification causes no difference in composition (inferred). The difference in composition of the group with regard to caste does not affect communication (educated guess). Most members of this subgroup are of the cast Vellalas. The difference in composition with regard to religious identification does not affect communication (educated guess). Most members of this subgroup are religiously identified as Hindu, Muslim, and Christian. 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 facto (inferred). Exclusion from use of the entire resource is exercised de jure (inferred). Members of this subgroup cannot exercise the right to decide who can be excluded from particular zones within the resource either de facto nor de jure. (educated guess). The separable right of transfer to the flow of units from this resource is not held either by de jure nor de facto (inferred). 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 (inferred). 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). The proportion of this subgroup that currently appropriates similar units from other resources is 51%-75% (educated guess). 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 moderate (educated guess). Over time the variance in average annual family income is low (inferred). Capital is owned by 76%-90% of this subgroup (educated guess). Alternatives for the supply unit are available at a moderate cost (inferred).

Potential Actions and Levels of Control:

A noticeable impact on the balance of the quantity of units withdrawn and the number of units available in this resource would occur in a drastic reduction of this subgroup's appropriation activities (inferred). 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 cause unknown contraints, time limits which limit the range of choice lightly 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 high value immediate return (inferred).

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, the appropriation resources (at the end of the period) produce mainly paddy rice, and also legumes, edible tree crops, and non-tree fruits and vegetables. During this time period members have invested resources, such as their own labor, in maintaining or improving the structure of the appropriation resource (highly confident). Investment into constructing or improving production or distribution works for maintaining or improving their resource has been made by members (highly confident). Resources have been expended (including time) to avoid actions that would harm the structure of the appropriation resource (ambiguous). The maintenance or improvement work is either dependent or contingent on the quantity of units appropriated (inferred). Members have access to an alternative source of supply (highly confident). Members of this group have increased their use of alternative sources of supply of this unit (highly confident). At least one member has assumed entrepreneurial activity in trying to achieve coordinated strategies in relationship to both withdrawal and investment (highly confident). 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 almost all of the members follow the rules set in place (inferred). The level of infraction of members who are not rule followers is generally small (inferred). Action in both the collective choice arena and constitutional-choice arena has been proposed to alter the operational or collective-choice rules affecting the appropriation from this resource (educated guess).

Subgroup Results:

This subgroup appropriates 91%-100% of its total appropriated units at the end of this period (highly confident). By the end of this time period the appropriates from this resource have remained approximately constant (highly confident). The absolute quantity of appropriation units obtained by this group has remained constant (inferred).

RESOURCE:

The resource appropriated from Sananeri Tank is water for irrigation. The resource discussed in this study includes a tank and the channels that divert water to the field.

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 relatively full information about operational level rules as devised by regional collective choice mechanisms which have been coded below..

With regard to local collective choice, a level of government or organization of appropriators exists at the location and the author provides relatively full information about operational level rules as devised by collective choice mechanisms which have been coded below.

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 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, local, 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 2 cycle(s).

Authority Rules:

The national level(s) of government or organization had no jurisdiction over the resource.

There is a rule requiring withdrawal in a fixed order, based on the needs during time period. This rule is enforced at the local and rules-in-use level(s), and is part of a less restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules. The rule is in effect during the wet season when a substantial amount is available from the tank.

There is a rule permitting withdrawal whenever and wherever desired, based on unspecific criteria. This rule is enforced at the local and rules-in-use level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules. The rule is in effect when supplies of water from the tank are almost depleted.

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 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 amount of land held. This rule is enforced at the regional, local, and rules-in-use level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules.

There is a rule requiring regular maintanence labor input based on location. This rule is enforced at the local and 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 based on location. This rule is enforced at the local and rules-in-use level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules.

There is a rule requiring labor, money, or materials to be used for major capital investment, however, the basis criteria for this rule was not included in the case information. This rule is enforced at the local and rules-in-use level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules.

Information Rules

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 can obtain aid from a regional (private or public) agency(s) to develop or repair their production, distribution, or appropriation resources. 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.