Gondalpur irrigation system, Punjab province, Pakistan

RESOURCE:

The resource appropriated from Main Watercourse in Gondalpur is water for irrigation. The resource described in this study consists of a watercourse that delivers water to farmlands.

SCREENER:

Case: Main Watercourse in Gondalpur, 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 monograph. 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 Main Watercourse in Gondalpur, situated in Main Watercourse in Gondalpur 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 Main Watercourse in Gondalpur. 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 Main Watercourse in Gondalpur have a complete knowledge of its particulars. Furthermore, the authors have provided sufficient data to formulate a structured coding process.

There are 51-100 total appropriator teams appropriating from the resource . At the beginning of the period discussed by the authors, there was an extreme shortage of biological and physical resources withdrawn compared to the number of units available. Appropriator teams for the resource are always formally organized.

This monograph contains four papers about irrigation organization and mangement in Pakistan. The paper by James Wolf analyzes the present level of financing operation and maintenance at the provincial level, and evaluates its adequacy. The three papers by Douglas Merrey analyze local level sociological and ecological processes and their implications for irrigation system management and development policy at the macro level. Merrey demonstrates his case by looking at the main watercourse of a village which has serious problems in maintenance and water allocation. He argues that the minute subdivision of land and therefore irrigation times; the absence of an indigenous local capacity to ensure cooperation on collective tasks; and the "embeddedness" of irrigation management tasks in a highly fragmented and competitive social structure are deep-rooted problems requiring fundamental changes in system design and organization.

CITATION(S):

Merrey, Douglas J., and James M. Wolf (1986) IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT IN PAKISTAN: FOUR PAPERS. Digana Village, Sri Lanka: International Irrigation Management Research Paper No. 4. (November)*

RESOURCE INFO:

The resource appropriated from Main Watercourse in Gondalpur is water for irrigation. It is produced physically and is a renewable moving (fugitive) unit. The resource described in this study consists of a watercourse 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, but are divided among several 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 not 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). 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 gently undulating (inferred).

The boundaries of the production resource are totally seperated from the boundaries of the appropriation resource (highly confident). The boundaries of the production resource are totally seperated from the boundaries of the location (highly 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 (highly 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 (highly 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 (highly confident). A regular agency(s) of a regional government (e.g. State Department of Water Resources) operates the headworks for this system (highly 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 (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 (highly confident). A regular agency(s) of a regional government (e.g. State Department of Water Resources) operate(s) the distribution system (highly 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 (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 the area covered by the main watercourse of the Gondalpur village. The boundaries of the location are the oundaries of a watercourse. The appropriation resource present in this location consists of canals that deliver water to farmlands (coding), and tubewells. Regarding the use of the irrigation system, there were few adverse affects throughout the entire period in the relationships among appropriation processes.

The system is located within one country. Within this country, the system's location is divided among several general purpose local jurisdictions at the same level. A permanent population lives year round in this location (highly confident). There is frequent contact and communication between people in this location and officials in a nearby administrative center (inferred). This location is also characterized by an economy that is changing and tied to other economic networks during the entire time period (educated guess).

The latitude of this location is not specified, and its longitude is not specified. The elevation of this location is 0 meters. The highest elevation is 0. The lowest elevation of this location is 0. The region's average annual rainfall is . The region's average annual evapotranspiration is . The distribution of rainfall and evapotranspiration per month is as follows:

January precipitation: 0, evapotraspiration: 0

February precipitation: 0, evapotraspiration: 0

March precipitation: 0, evapotraspiration: 0

April precipitation: 0, evapotraspiration: 0

May precipitation: 0, evapotraspiration: 0

June precipitation: 0, evapotraspiration: 0

July precipitation: 0, evapotraspiration: 0

August precipitation: 0, evapotraspiration: 0

September precipitation: 0, evapotraspiration: 0

October precipitation: 0, evapotraspiration: 0

November precipitation: 0, evapotraspiration: 0

December precipitation: 0, evapotraspiration: 0

RESOURCE:

The resource appropriated from Main Watercourse in Gondalpur is water for irrigation. The resource described in this study consists of a watercourse that delivers water to farmlands.

OPERATIONAL LEVEL:

TYPE OF SITUATION

The processes described in the related documents are primarily related to appropriation, production, distribution and use. 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 1977. The estimated duration of the patterns that are described in this form is 11 to 25 years. Throughout the duration there was change made primarily by local collective choice processes involving others besides the appropriators, 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 does not begin 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 an extreme shortage (inferred). 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 an extreme shortage (inferred). 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 beginning of the period: 2000000

Square meters of fields irrigated at the end of the period: 2000000

*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 poor (confident). As of the end of the period, the quality of the units being withdrawn from the resource was poor (confident). At the beginning of the period of the study, there were problems of pollution in this resource, due to the appropriation process (inferred). At the end of the period of the study, there were problems of pollution in this resource due to the appropriation process (inferred). As of the beginning of the period, the extent of technical externalities resulting from the appropriation activities of participants from this resource was relatively high (confident). As of the end of the period, the extent of technical externalities resulting from the appropriation activities of participants from this resource was relatively high (confident). 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 had no effect on the appropriation resources (educated guess). 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 had no effect on the appropriation resources (educated guess). At the beginning of this study the appropriation resource was experiencing considerable deterioration due to poor maintenance (confident). At the end of this study the appropriation resource was experiencing considerable deterioration due to poor maintenance (highly confident). At the beginning of this period the appropriators shared low levels of mutual trust (e.g. oral promises rarely used) (inferred). At the end of the period the appropriators shared low levels of mutual trust (e.g. oral promises rarely used) (inferred). ## Unknown markup: Start ##By the end of this period no change had occurred in the property rights regime related to the appropriation resource (inferred).

INFORMATION LEVELS

There are readily available maps or charts of the appropriation resource for use by the appropriators (inferred). 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 sometimes records of the withdrawals from this resource kept in a systematic way (educated guess). 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' contribution to the maintenance of the resource kept in a systematic way (inferred). Records are kept in a language accessible to most of the appropriators (inferred). The keepers of these records are officials at some level (inferred). 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 Infrequently/Irregularly (educated guess). The appropriators have a considerable familiarity with the characteristics of this resource (educated guess).

POTENTIAL ACTIONS AND LEVELS OF CONTROL

There are no 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 are large and significantly affected communication (confident). Differences between subgroups relating to racial identification does not affect communication (educated guess). Differences between subgroups relating to caste identification are small and did not affect communication (confident). 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 are large and significantly affected communication (confident).

The general manner in which appropriators related to one another during this study is a relatively negative, perhaps even spiteful manner -- one indicator of this would be vandalism by appropriators against appropriators. (inferred). The documents do not present evidence of concurrent or prior history of cooperative actions between the appropriators in regards to other activities (inferred). If someone violated the rules-in-use related to the appropriation process from this resource, it is likely as not that he/she would encounter social sanctions imposed by other appropriators (who are not filling posititions as official monitors) (educated guess). If someone violates the rules-in-use related to the appropriation process from this resource, it is likely as not that he/she would encounter physical sanctions by other appropriators (who are not filling posititions as official monitors) (educated guess).

POSITIONS AND PARTICIPANTS

At the end of the period studied the position of non-appropriator (individuals prevented from using the resource) did exist (educated guess). At the beginning of the period there was a general estimate of 51-100 appropriators (educated guess). There was a general estimate of 51-100 appropriators at the end of the period (educated guess). The "official" position of monitor (apart from the willingness of all appropriators to monitor) does not exist (highly confident).

The appropriators monitor the appropriation activities of each other apart from the monitoring of any "official" guards (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: 79.1 - 0 - 0 - 0

EVALUATION OF RESULTS

There are appropriators who were consistently disadvantaged in this period (inferred). The study did not indicate whether or not the relatively worst off appropriators have or have not been cut out of their benefits from this resource or substantially harmed. 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 increasing over time (inferred).

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's results indicated very bad performance in the level of maintenance and the efficient and equity allocation of water. There was an absence of indigenous local capacity to ensure cooperation. The author evaluates the efficiency of the system as low, based on the percentage of commanded area actually irrigated (p.51) To improve efficiency the author suggested better maintenance.. 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 95 (educated guess). This group ended with a membership of 95 (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). Difference in composition with regard to ethnic or cultural identification does not affect communication (educated guess). Clan identification causes large differences in composition which significantly affect communication (confident). The difference in composition with regard to racial identification does not affect communication (educated guess). Caste identification causes small differences in composition and affects communication (confident). Most members of this subgroup are of the cast Gondal. The difference in composition with regard to religious identification does not affect communication (educated guess). There is no difference in composition with regard to languages spoken (inferred). Problems within this group that are also mentioned by the author stem from the concern for "izzat" (honor).

.

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). Exlusion from use of the entire resource is not exercised either de facto nor de jure (educated guess). 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 (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 51 through 75 years (confident). 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 26%-50% (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 high (educated guess). Over time the variance in average annual family income is low (inferred). Low cost alternatives for the supply unit are available (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 not occur in a drastic reduction of this subgroup's appropriation activities (educated guess). 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 heavily constrain (inferred), quantity limits which limit the range of choice heavily constrain (inferred), 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 beginning of the period the rate of unit withdrawals was increasing (educated guess). 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 paddy rice, and also grains other than paddy rice, fodder, sugar cane or beets, and a non-listed product. In irrigation, the appropriation resources (at the end of the period) produce mainly paddy rice, and also grains other than paddy rice, fodder, 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). Resources have not been expended (including time) to avoid actions that would harm the structure of the appropriation resource (highly confident). The maintenance or improvement work is neither dependent nor contingent on the quantity of units appropriated (inferred). Members have access to an alternative source of supply (inferred). Members of this group have not increased their use of alternative sources of supply of this unit (educated guess). At least one member has assumed entrepreneurial activity in trying to achieve coordinated strategies in relationship to both withdrawal and investment (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 about half of the members follow the rules (inferred). The level of infraction of members who are not rule followers is generally medium (educated guess). Action in the collective choice arena has been proposed to alter the operational or collective-choice rules affecting the appropriation from this resource (educated guess). Attempting to alter the behavior of appropriators, members of this group have threatened or actually used violence to obtain a more favorable situation (regardless of the rules).

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 (educated guess).

RESOURCE:

The resource appropriated from Main Watercourse in Gondalpur is water for irrigation. The resource described in this study consists of a watercourse 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 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, 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 level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules.

There is a rule requiring withdrawal at a fixed time slot, based on unincluded, specific criteria. 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 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 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 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 rules-in-use level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules.

If labor input for maintenance is required, the input can be substituted by some payment (e.g. money, materials). Most of the time, the entire labor force works as a team.

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: confident. Incarceration is not imposed as penalty on appropriators for breaking rules related to the appropriation of this resource. No fines can be imposed 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. Severe community shunning is not used as a sanction that is consciously imposed on appropriators who break rules related to the appropriation of this 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 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

The default condition, that no rules specify contraints or requirements on the process to be used in deciding which actions will be taken, and that appropriators can have as much independence in deciding upon actions as they are physically able to exert, is imposed in this case.

Overall Questions About Rules Configuration

The general framework of the rules-in-use has governed the activities of this subgroup for 11 to 25 years.