STUDY ON WATER RIGHTS UNDER SHEIKH HAIDER ZAM

BY

SERVE, DI KHAN

FOR

PROJECT FOR LIVELIHOODS IMPROVEMENT

CHAPTER-1

REPORT OF STUDY ON SHEIKH HAIDER ZAM

Introduction & Background of the Study:

Project for Livelihood Improvement (PLI) is a project of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation-Inter Cooperation (SDC-IC) working for livelihood improvement and Non-formal Education for girls in D.I.Khan, the southern most district of NWFP.

The Swiss Development Corporation initiated development intervention in collaboration with local NGOs in the command area of two Zams namely Daraban Zam and Chowdwan Zam focusing on the Natural Resource Management with the objectives to strengthen self determination and self reliability of the natural resource users and their communities through participatory NRM development. The ultimate Goal is that the local communities have enhanced competencies to address their livelihood needs.

Since the focus is poverty reduction through effective Natural Resource Management, the important feature is introduction and improvement of systems governing important Natural Resource of perennial & floodwater. The SDC-IC has strong determination for the revival of Pati Dari System for effective management of floodwater for irrigation. For this purpose, the SDC-IC has already conducted studies and Base line Surveys in Daraban and Chowdwan Zams. A similar Base Line Survey and study is required in the Sheikh Haider Zam, which is the neighboring Zam of Daraban.

In the past the floodwater was managed by a system called the Pati Dari/ Tuman Dari/ Numberdari System in the command area of some of the Zams, where the big landowners used to hire a person called the Pati Dar in Daraban Zam or Tuman Dar in Sheikh Haider Zam for equitable distribution of perennial water flows (not the floodwater) for irrigation.

In most areas, the Government used to appoint one of the biggest landowner as Numberdar of a village, who used to collect land revenue for the Government and also manage floodwater with the active community participation. He was assisted by a chowkidar for calling meetings of the community, collection of land revenue and informing the villagers about the floodwater. The Numberdar used to get commission from the Government out of revenue collected and chowkidar used to be paid by other landowners out of their harvest.

Through the above-mentioned systems, the water rights were never violated and no dispute over water rights was reported. Similarly the Rodh Kohi system was also very well maintained. The Government abolished the Nimberdari system in early seventies and the task of collection of land revenue was assigned to the respective Patwaris of the Mouza.

The PLI office in D.I.Khan has engaged SERVE, a local non-government development organization to conduct the Study/ Baseline Survey on water rights in the command area of Sheikh Haider Zam. SERVE, D.I.Khan, undertook the study on water rights under the command area of Sheikh Haider Zam (Upstream, midstream and downstream), commencing on July 1, 2004 and ending on December 31, 2004, with the following Objectives:

Objectives of the Study

• To assess the previous and present systems/ procedures of water distribution & water rights, in light of the Kuliyat and Rawajat of Sheikh Haider Zam.

• To assess the strengths and weaknesses of previous and present systems/ procedures.

• To ascertain the existence of Pati Dari System in the command area of Sheikh Haider Zam. In case it did exist, what was the role of Pati Dar and what were reasons of its fading out/ collapse.

• To understand the vision of communities and Landowners about the governance of flood irrigation. What systems are/ were more effective and what systems do they want.

• To know exactly the reasons for collapse/ deteriorating flood irrigation systems and how can they be addressed.

• To collect data of the command area to frame recommendations for the PSU with regard to water rights in Sheikh Haider Zam.

The following methodology was adopted to conduct the study:

Methodology

• Information & Data collection from Revenue Officers and Revenue record including getting copies of Kuliyat & Riwajat, Gazetteer of D.I.Khan, and any other document useful for the study.

• Holding meetings with knowledgeable and experienced people, dealing with the systems directly or indirectly.

• Several visits to the Sheikh Haider Zam and its command area and also photograph key points for documentation.

• Hold several seminars/ consultative meetings with all the beneficiaries and stakeholders of Sheikh Haider Zam.

• Comprehensive data base collection and collation including identification of water rights of upstream, midstream and downstream of the beneficiaries, their perceptions, well being exercises and basic demographics.

• Constantly assessing progress with Project Support unit, sharing of information & issues, identification of problems and future direction. Wherever necessary, the PSU was invited for consultative meetings.

To understand the entire water distribution system, it is important to study the Kuliyat and Riwajat of Perennial and floodwater flows, evolved by the farmers and revenue department jointly over the century through four land settlements carried out since 1884. The last settlement was carried out in 1964, the details of which are given in Chapter-3 and the Rodh Kohi Irrigation system explained in Chapter-2.

Figure 1 Mouth of Sheikh Haider Zam

CHAPTER-2

ROD KOHI SYSTEM OF IRRIGATION

More than two third areas of D.I.Khan and Tank districts is either rain fed (Barani) or Rod Kohi (Hill torrents). The area between Suleman Range and the Indus River comprising D.I.Khan district, interalia, constitutes a huge wasteland locally known as Damani Area. Five major hill torrents, called Zams, along with a number of small ones, traverse Damani area. Floods of different magnitude hit the area, generally during monsoon, a part of which is utilized by the locals in a traditional manner of irrigation called the “Rod Kohi System”.

During monsoon and winters/spring season when it rains heavily in the area or in Afghanistan and neighboring province of Baluchistan, the floodwaters travel through mountains and enter the plains of the area through different passages known as Zams. There are five major Zams in the Tehsil, namely Tank Zam, Gomal Zam, Sheikh Haider Zam, Daraban Zam and Chowdwan Zam. The discharge sometimes exceeds 100,000 cusecs per Zam, bringing heavy deposit of silt.

Since 1880, concrete efforts have been made to beneficially utilize the area for agricultural purposes by managing flood flows of Zams flowing through the Suleman Range. Rod Kohi system is well governed by rules and regulations called “Kulyat and Riwajat-e-Abpashi” established since more than a century. These rules and regulations provide detailed information related to the distribution of flows to the riparian, including water rights.

The water of Rodh Kohi is diverted by “SAD/GANDI” (earth dams constructed across the bed of the torrent) to store and raise the water, which is led into the embanked fields, through “Khulas” (shallow channels) and “PALS” (trial dikes). Once the fields are filled, water is allowed to percolate slowly in the soil. Thus, the monsoon flows are utilized for the “Rabi” cultivation in September/October.

As soon as all the lands, attached to each “Sad/Gandi” are irrigated, the water is allowed to move to the next Gandi in the series. The Sads/Gandis, which are improperly built, usually breach under the rush of floodwater before the required irrigation is accomplished. Quite often these are not as yet completely constructed, when the rain set in and the torrents are flooded, making the irrigation impossible. The floodwaters continually cut out new channels and ravines and the whole area is affected by the flood flows. Sometimes floods of different torrents accumulate in certain ravines, rendering the flow unmanageable and cause huge damage to lands, villages and infrastructure, besides paralyzing the communication system.

The embankments surrounding the fields, which play a vital role in the irrigation system of the area, are generally weak and get washed away, releasing most of the impounded water. The fields therefore, sometimes do not retain sufficient moister to make any cultivation possible.

The embankments surrounding the fields, which play a vital role in the irrigation system of the area, are generally weak and get washed away, releasing most of the impounded water. The fields therefore, sometimes do not retain sufficient moister to make any cultivation possible.

The other main problem that the farmers face in the Rodh Kohi system is the non-availability of earth moving machinery at the appropriate time and inadequate man power for constructing the temporary diversion dykes during the hot months of June and July, when sufficient water, shelter and fodder are not available. Another problem in the project area is that the embanked cultivated fields are scattered plots with great stretches of wasteland between them, resulting in high mobilization costs for the farm labour and machinery.

This floodwater is managed by poor farmers to irrigate their lands but the system has been deteriorated over the years due to mismanagement and silting up of the flood channels resulting in wastage of this natural resource and rendering vast lands barren. The worst affected of this decline are small and subsistence farmers, tenants and landless working on rented lands. The area is already food deficient and is haunted by food insecurity as lands in the area remain barren for a year altogether due to wastage

MAJOR ZAMS AND NETWORK

SALIENT FEATURES OF MAJOR HILL TORRENTS

SYSTEM CONSTRAINTS

The century old system has been functioning quite satisfactorily for a long period. However, silting up of Rodh Kohi channels and Kamara system have operated serious problems. This situation has resulted in reduction of capacity of the channels to carry the abnormal flood flows. Consequently, excessive flood volumes overspill the banks causing damages to the crops and infrastructure. Moreover, due to silting problems, it is no more possible to continue the normal principles of Rodh Kohi irrigation system. The prevailing constraints are explained below:

Silting of Channels:

 With continued neglect and improper maintenance, Rodh Kohi channels have silted up at different places and are unable to accommodate the flood volumes. This results in over spilling of flood flows and the development of new ravines (Khads). These ravines develop into a nullah and join some other ravine, scoured by a neighboring torrent.  This causes wastage of land and flowing of water away from authorized course, where no Gandis and authorized land exists. The floodwater is thus wasted causing damage to lands and property enroute.

Defects in Kamara System:

The time, location, mode of construction and quality of Gandis/Sads (dams) are important factors that determine their efficiency in diverting the flood flows for an effective irrigation. If the Gandis are not constructed before the onset of a flood, or it is improperly built, or “CHURS” (Dam site outlets) and the Khulas (Shallow channels) taking the water from the Gandis to the embank fields are not prepared and maintained to withdraw water from the bunds (dams), it would be washed away before any irrigation is done. Sometimes, the rush of high intensity flood also washes even a timely, well prepared and well laid out bund away.

Even if a bund is successful and it impound and spreads water to the fields, the cultivation is possible only in those fields where confining embankments are strong enough to sustain the pressure of impounded water and sufficient time is available to retain adequate water depth, which generally sinks in until the Rabi sowing period. As the subsequent (2nd or 3rd) irrigation of the crops is an uncommon feature, it is important that the fields should absorb sufficient water to face the drought and take the crop to maturity. 

Uneven distribution:

The main cause of damages to the crops in Damani area is the improper distribution of floodwater into the branch channels due to non-existence of control structures on the mouth of Zams as well as other major bifurcations of flood channels. Due to varying capacity of discharges and sediments, the hill torrents keep on changing their course. The streams are silted up at one point and scoured at the other. Diversion of flow in one channel above its carrying capacity causes flood problems in the area resulting into crop damages, damages to the infrastructure, land erosion, ravine formation and disturbing irrigation legal rights of the people, and causing social problems. Cross drainage structures are constructed on CRBC but due to unpredicted channel behavior and quantum of flow, there is every possibility of damages to irrigation system.

Institutional constraints:

Rodh Kohi department is working under the supervision of DCOs in both D.I.Khan and Tank districts. The revenue staff consists of an Assistant Commissioner, a Tehsildar, three Assistant Tehsildars, seven Qanoongos, six permanent Patwaris, seventeen temporary Patwaris and thirty-three messengers. This staff is responsible for maintenance of all the Zams and Rodhs in D.I.Khan and Tank districts and water distribution to about 673,672 acres of land on Rodh Kohi system. The existing institutional setup has following major constraints:

• Paucity of maintenance funds, non-availability of jeeps for supervisory staff and in-adequate buildings/offices/furniture and equipment.

• Non-availability of technical/engineering staff associated with the revenue staff.

• Non-availability of Earth moving machinery with the irrigation department and mobile workshops.

• In-adequate extension services by the agriculture department for training/information of farmers.

• During past one decade the Government has been providing Earth moving equipment to the people of the tribal areas, for developing lands in the catchments area of different Zams, which has resulted diversion of water in the catchments area to irrigate lands in the catchments area, and reducing perennial water flows in different Zams.

• Discontinuation of agriculture engineering department and funds for kamara systems and construction of Gandis by the Government. The farmers have sold their bullocks as their dependency on Bulldozers enhanced.

• Abolition of formal and in-formal systems by the communities to manage flood irrigation system.

• Dependency of the communities on Government and politicians for provision of Dozers to construct the irrigation systems.

CHAPTER-3

COMMON FORMULAS & TRADITIONS (KULYAT & RIWAJ) OF IRRIGATION AS PER LAND SETTLEMENT OF 1964 OF SHEIKH HAIDER ZAM

INTRODUCTION:

The natural water passing through Daraban Pass and Sheikh Haider Pass, irrigates the area separately and jointly through separate and joint Rodhs, the following Rodhs are generated in the following way and shape:

• Rodh Swan from Sheikh Haider Pass (Separate)

• Rodh Kori from Daraban Pass (Separate)

• Rodh Toa from both Daraban and Sheikh Haider Pass

Hence the irrigation is divided into three parts. Firstly, Irrigation from Rodh Sawan, secondly, from Rodh Toa and thirdly, from Rodh Kori.

Part One: Description Common way of traditional irrigation under Rodh Sawan:

1. Command and Catchments Area:

Sawan Rodh generates two types of water flows. One is Perennial and the other is flood. The perennial water comes from Tuman Sheranian Hassan Khel. This place is located twenty kilometers inside the Pass. This water travels from Zao to Charosuka, which is located deep in the pass and is known as Zao. The water travels from Charosuka to Chashma Faqirwaga (located inside the mountain) joins water from Charosuka and later becomes Rodh known as Sawan.

This water travels through Sheikh Haider Zam and then enters the plains of the district. Here it is split into two branches, the first branch on the northern side is known as Sawan and the second on the southern side is known as Toa. On the northern side Rodh Sawan separates at the Pass and irrigates Villages Zarkani, Kot Sultan, Kot Wali Dad, Kot Zaffar Ferozdasti and Saggu MianKheli. After passing through Saggu Miankheli it joins at Mouza Kohawar with the southern Rodh of Toa, which passes from Zarkani, Daraban and Mouza Kot Lalu. At this point, the two branches of Rodh Toa that come from Daraban Zam join them too. The two branches that have already traveled through Gara Baran, Gara Mastan, Gara Mehmood Purdil, Gara Khan Wala, Gandi Ashiq and Kuhawar joins Rodh Sawan and enters Tehsil D.I.Khan.

The Perennial water originates from a fountain that is located at Charoska, which is located about eight kilometers inside the Sheikh Haider Pass. This water which after traveling for two kilometers joins water from fountain of Faqir Waga. After both the streams join together, they come out of the Sheikh Haider Pass. In case of floodwater, if the slope is developed towards Sawan Rodh, the water will flow in Sawan Rodh or in case the slope is towards Toa Rodh the water will flow into Toa Rodh. In any case, the Landowners of Zarkani and Gara Madda can construct Gandi at a little distance from the Pass and divert Kala Pani (Perennial water) into their villages for irrigation. Normally the Kala Pani continues to flow into Rodh Sawan.

PERENNIAL WATER:

• Chapter one – Perennial Water (Tand or Kala Pani or Black water):

The Kala Pani always continues to flow in WAND (channel for perennial water) and never becomes dry. At the time of floodwater (Nouz or floodwater or Aab-e-Safaid), the water either starts flowing into Rodh Sawan or Rodh Toa. After the floodwater subsides or discontinues, the Gandi of Kala Pani is reconstructed and water continues to flow through WAND into the command area. In case the Gandi does not get damaged with floodwater, the floodwater joins the Kala Pani and the discharge through WAND increases. Otherwise the discharge of Kala Pani during rainy season stays between one to two Jandar (scale of water measurement) and during drought becomes much lesser. For instance during 1900 it was completely dry. In 1904 the discharge was two Jandar. During 1964 to 1967 it was again so dry that people even could not get drinking water. During 1968 the water again started to flow and the discharge was one Jandar. The discharge increases from the month of September (Asown) and goes through February (Phagan). The discharge decreases from March (Chait) through August/September (Bhadon).

• Chapter Two – Distribution of Aab-e-Siya (Perennial or Black water)  & Construction of Gandi:

Kala Pani is the property of Village Zarkani and Village Gara Madda. There is no distribution of water between the two villages. They have fixed the turns of irrigation according to their share of land holdings. Once one village is completely irrigated the entire water is diverted to the other village and vice versa. In case during irrigation the WAND gets damaged or the water flow decreases, it is not mandatory that the shortfall may be claimed from the other village. The Village wise share is 12 days for village Zarkani and 6 days for Gara Madda. In case of increase or decrease of discharge of water, the turns and share of water is adjusted accordingly. The resources utilized for construction of Gandi at the bed of the Rodh for diversion of Kala Pani is shared between the two villages according to the share of water i.e. Zarkani spends two third of the cost and Gara Madda spends one third of the cost. Internally the two villages divide the cost according to the number of beneficiaries. The Numberdars of each village are responsible for provision of resources.

• Chapter Three – Preparation of Land for cultivation

The ownership of the area of land, which is barren, of Zarkani village, excluding Minawal, and which does not have right over Kala Pani is Bala Jamal (common property of the people). And the ownership of land of Gara Madda is also Bala Jamal (common property). The description of both is given below:

a) Mouza Zarkani:

 The Land ownership under Aab-e-Siya (perennial water) excluding Minawal of Zarkani Mouza is the same. The total number of shares in lands is 610 Tulls (scale of land measurement). The share in land is called Tull. The owners of the land select the lands for utilization of Kala Pani (perennial water) for each crop. In case any land remains unirrigated from the floodwater and period of floodwater has passed, then they can irrigate the same through Kala Pani.  In case the fields do not get irrigated by floodwater up to 20 Asown (September), and there is no hope of floodwater, then it is deemed appropriate to irrigate the fields through Kala Pani. The crops can be cultivated up to December on lands irrigated by Kala Pani. During Kharif, the cultivation can go up to September (Bhadon) under perennial water or rain irrigation.

The lands, which are Lath Basta in this Mouza and are not under Dakhilkari, except for few numbers are under the possession of some landowners who distribute the same amongst themselves. This land then remains under their possession for twelve years. After twelve years the process is again repeated. But the land under possession is exchanged between them. The land under possession of A will go to B and so on and so forth. The land remains under irrigation throughout under Aab-e-Siya. During the process of possession of land, so much land is occupied for which the expected water for irrigation is anticipated. At this point and time a few landowners get together for cultivation and form different groups. Every group is then called DHAAR.

In this Mouza a total of 16 DEHAARS are formed. According to this calculation every DHAAR has 38 Tulls and 2 Sharrak of land. But it is up to the Landowners to reduce or increase the DHAARS according to increase or decrease of discharge of water.

The selected land is distributed into two PATIS through KURANDAZI (draw). Every Patti has eight eight DHAARS. Then Patis are divided into DHAARS. At the time of division, marks of MAREEN are affixed in longitude on each DHAAR. The boundary of each DHAAR is measured by two persons who sit on sign of two Marins opposite to each other and third person travels from one Marin to another. The two persons watch him whether he is going straight or not. A few farmers follow this third person to fix the boundaries. This way the boundaries are established. The width of DHAARS is equal. At the time of distribution, the area of each DHAAR is made equal. Due to this reason bad quality land gets more water than the good quality land.

The owners of good quality land increase the area of the land vertically. For this reason the areas of DHAARS is not equal.  No one can stop one DHAAR Walas to expand nor can shortfall of one DHAAR can be adjusted from the other DHAAR. But the owner with lesser land can take ownership rights from the person with more land.

After the DHAAR area is equally established, these DHAARS are distributed group wise through KURAS (draw). After this process channel is dug horizontally stretching from top to tail DHAAR Every DHAAR gets a MOUHAN and Patari or Chap Dhariwar (rights) are given. Within DHAAR there is no distribution. According to KURA ANDAZI the upper and lower lands gets water according to DHAARS and are Bala Jamal (common property). The harvest is distributed according to the share of Aab-e-Siya and not according to the possession of land.

b) Gara Madda:

The ownership of this Mouza is according to the share of water and is Bala Jamal (common property). The share of ownership for cultivation from Kala Pani is 295 Tulls and 13.25 Sharaks.  There is piece of land in this Mouza, which is adjacent to boundary of Mouza Kot Sultan and Zarkani, which is irrigated through Kala Pani. The rest of the land of this Mouza is Lath Basta and is under possession of persons who have done Lath Bandi. Hence such area has no rights from Kala Pani.

Only that area which has rights from Kala Pani is eligible and owners according to the discharge of water select the land. The owners for the sake of cultivation split up in different groups. Every group is called DHAAR. Only eight DHAARS are established. Every DHAAR has 35 Tulls. According to this calculation, 280 Tulls are identified. The land for remaining 5 Tulls and 13.25 Sharaks was never identified. These Tulls are then given to such an owner who does not cultivate the land himself. At the time of harvest he gets from others the produce at the rate of average that 5 Tulls and 13.25 Sharaks can or might have produced.

• Chapter 4 – Irrigation inside the DHAAR:

When the boundaries of the DHAARs are established, WAKRA is placed in WAND, and water is released into those channels, which have been prepared to irrigate DHAARS and the Mohan of the upper DHAAR is opened. Once the upper DHAAR is irrigated, the Mohan of the DHAAR is closed and the Mohan of the successive DHAAR is opened for irrigation. This way all the DHAARS get irrigated from top to bottom. Similarly the Pataris affixed in the channel for each DHAAR is removed turn by turn after every irrigation. After all the DHAARS are irrigated, Pataris are again affixed by DHAAR WALS and turns of irrigation are established this way.

To make sure that the water reaches the selected lands, due to lesser quantity of water and greater distance of flow, the people of Zarkani spare their turn for two days and people of Gara Madda spare their turn of one day as common day and divide rest of days in four and four PEHARS (Time unit). Every portion is called WAIL. (Every WAIL has four PEHERS). According to this calculation, Zarkani gets 16 WEILS and Gara Madda gets 8 WEILS. In other words, one WEIL is considered as time from Dawn to Dusk and one WEIL from Dusk to Dawn. As explained earlier, Zarkani has 16 DHAARS and Gara Madda has 8 DHAARS, hence for every DHAAR for each Mouza will be equivalent to one & one WEIL.

In case the WAND breaks down due to flood or other reason, while irrigation is going on in any DHAAR, the deficiency is made up within the Mouza from the common days. But if due to increase or decrease of water flow, it is not obligatory to make up for any DHAAR. Similarly, except for NOUZ (flood water), if the Wand breaks down due to negligence of any DHAAR WALA and the water does not reach his/their DHAAR, the other DHAAR WALAS will not be responsible.

In case due to heavy flow of floodwater or rain, the quantity of water exceeds while irrigating any DHAAR, and the DHAAR WAL does not need water, he is at liberty to divert water to any other land, other than DHAAR. In such case other shareholders do not have the right to claim any produce from that land. But if Shareholders get involved in such irrigation on lands, which are outside of DHAARS, get such land in return. Or if suggested that certain land requires more water, the person who irrigates such land gets his share of land and irrigates it. There is no restriction if in case any DHAARWALA willingly allow the water to go into other DHAAR, other than his.

When all the DHAARS are irrigated and still some common water is saved/left, then the water is equally distributed accordingly from head to tail. Since the ownership of the water (Abe-siya) and the land is the same in two villages, the rate & sale of such land has to be the same.

• Chapter Six – Desilting & Cleaning of WAND:

Within the jurisdiction of Mouza Zarkani, both the owners of land of Zarkani and Gara Madda do the cleaning of WAND according to the share of water. But in Mouza Gara Madda, the landowners of Gara Mada alone do the cleaning of WAND. The earthwork is calculated according to the number of DHAARS of each Mouza. The number of bullocks required is calculated according to DHAARS and sub divided into Tulls in each DHAAR. In case someone gets absent at the time of cleaning, the Numberdar gets labourers on payment and gets the wages from the absentee landowner. In case he does not pay the wages, then all the DHAARWALAS make the payment collectively and then distribute the his share of water amongst themselves.

• Chapter Seven – Construction of New WAND:

In case the WAND becomes unserviceable to irrigate lands due to any kind of damage, the Landowners are at liberty to construct new WAND at any place they feel appropriate. Since the ownership in both the villages Bala Jamal (common property), there is no compensation for land that comes under the new WAND. All the Landowners provide bullocks according to their share of ownership. They do the manual work and earthwork through the bullocks. They can provide labour on daily wages for repairing and constructing WAND. The amount spent is divided amongst themselves Tull and Dhaar wise. The repair of WAND is the responsibility of the people of the village through which the WAND is passing through turn by turn. In case great damage is caused to the WAND due to heavy rains and people of one village cannot manage to repair, then owners from both villages join together and carry out the repairs.

• Chapter Eight – Jandarat:

There is no Jandar (water Mill) nor any shareholder has the right to construct a Jundar as water is limited and construction of Jandar can lead to damage to WAND and ultimate wastage of water.

• Chapter Nine – Stealing of water:

Since water is common property and is limited, everyone gets his share on time; hence there is no stealing of water.

• Chapter Ten – Drinking water & Trees watering:

In case of excessive water, the Government Post can store the water for drinking purposes and water the trees around the post any time out of the share of any of the two villages. But in case of scarcity of water, the water is provided for such purposes share wise from each village.

• Chapter Eleven – Staff of WAND:

One person from each village is appointed for cleaning of the GANG and management of perennial water. As a reward they are given some water and land for cultivation. They are also exempted from any kind of deduction, land revenue or Abyana (irrigation tax).

FLOOD WATER:

• Chapter Twelve – Floodwater:

The floodwater coming out of Sheikh Haider Pass starts flowing through Rodh Sawan and Rodh Toa. The pressure of floodwater breaches/ wash away the Dam or Gandi of WAND constructed for diverting Kala Pani and water starts flowing in these Rodhs. The Landowners of Villages Zarkani and Gara Madda jointly construct GATTA (Dam) known as Gatta Bela in the bed of Rodh Sawan at a distance of approximately half a kilometer from the starting point of Rodh Sawan. On the eastern side of Gatta Bela there is a channel called KASS BELA, through which water gets diverted and irrigates lands of Zarkani and Gara Madda, through a number of Gattis (small channels) in a row.

Another Gatti known as Gatti Sardar is constructed following Gatta Bela in the bed of Rodh Sawan on the Western side of the Road, by the Landowners of Village Zarkani. After all the lands of Zarkani and village Kot Sultan get irrigated, this Gatti is breached intentionally to allow the water to travel further. Since long this Gatti has not been constructed as the concerned lands get irrigated through Gatta Bela.

After this, there is yet another Gatti called Gatti Ameer Khan or Qaim Waali, constructed in the bed of Rodh Sawan which is constructed by Mr. Ameer Khan himself and is breached intentionally after it irrigates the area under its command. In the series is then Gatti Qayum Waali, which again is constructed by the landowners of Zarkani and is later, breached after it irrigates the area under its command. After this is Gatti Niaz Mohammad Waali under Saad Kot Sultan, which is constructed by the landowners of Zarkani and Kot Sultan. This Gatti irrigates lands of village Kot Sultan and southern side of Zarkani village.

From Saad Kot Sultan another channel branches off towards north, which is sub divided into two Khulas. One Khula falls into Kass Khanwala and the second Khula irrigates lands on the northern side of village Kot Sultan. After all the lands are irrigated Saad Kot Sultan is breached. After lands of Kot Sultan are irrigated through Kass Khanwali, the remaining water is allowed to go into Paal Nazowali. Paal Nazowali has been constructed by the Government to stop excessive water from falling into Rodh Dong. Instead it irrigates the required area and later joins Gandi Wali Mohammad Khan under Saad Kot Sultan, which is constructed, on the eastern side of the bed. This Gandi receives additional water from Gandi Qayumwali and irrigates the required area.

After these series, comes Saad Gara Madda, which is constructed in the bad of Rodh Sawan by the landowners of Zarkani, Gara Madda and Gara Mastan, under the assistance and supervision of the Government. After it irrigates lands of all three villages, is breached to allow water to travel further. This Gandi was constructed as a test on the orders of the Collector under the previous Settlement. Since then this Gandi is constructed every year.

The next recipient of water is Gatti Bihariwali, now known as Saad Mohammad Nawaz Khan, which is constructed by the Government in the jurisdiction of Kulachi Gharbi (Western), and irrigates areas of Kulachi Gharbi. After the entire lands are irrigated, the Dam is breached to allow water to enter Saad Kot Wali Dad, which is constructed under supervision of the Government on the southern side of village Kot Wali Dad. After the irrigation is complete under its command area, the Saad is breached.

After the breaching of Saad Kot Wali Dad, this Rodh enters Mouza Kot Zaffar Ferozdasti, and areas under Gatti Mohammad Ramzan Shakhiwali, Gatti Abdul Qayum Qasaiwali, Gati Sahibdad Lodhra, Gatti Shahnawazwali, Gatti Mola Dadwali, Gatti Sarfarazwali, Gatti Malik Lakhna Rogriwali, Gatti Abdul Wahab Khanwali and Gatti Qamaruzaman wali are irrigated one after the other. These Gattis are cnstructed by the owners themselves. Since the bed of the Rodh is not very deep here, even smaller Gattis can be constructed that can irrigate the area. The area is irrigated on top bottom basis.

After this, the Rodh enters into Saggu Miankheli Area. Rodh Dong joins at this point with Rodh Sawan. Besides this, water from Rodh Luni also joins in through Tamasha Mir Alam etc. Due to this, the bed of Rodh deepens. The Landowners of Saggu Miankheli construct Dam on the bed of the Rodh, known as Saad Sawan. From this Saad only one Kus on the Western side comes out which irrigates the Lands of village Saggu.

The Rodh then enters the area of Mouza Kohawar. There used to be another olden branch on the western side of Saggu that used to get additional water from Saad Saggu and enter Mauza Kohawar to irrigate areas under Gatti Hayat Laalwali, Gatti Samundarwali, and Gatti Fazal Dinwali. At the moment no Dam or Saad can be constructed in the jurisdiction of Mouza Kohawar, as the bed of the Rodh is very deep. At appropriate time and depending on availability of resources the Saad Kohawar over the Rod may be constructed. At Mouza Kohawar, the Sawan Rodh joins Rodh Toa. Then this Rodh passes through Mouza Dholka Kohna and enters D.I.Khan Tehsil at Mouza Sanwak.    

Part Two: Description Common way of traditional irrigation under Rodh Toa:

Generation of Water & Irrigation

This Rodh generates water normally in the months of Chet, Sawan and Bhadon. In other months if it rains heavily, then it also generates water. The water that comes into this Rodh from Sheikh Haider Pass is only the excessive water (CHALL), which enters into this Rodh, as the western side of the bed is deep and carries water into Rodh Sawan. This Chall (overflow) water irrigates the lands of Mouza Zarkani. The branch of Rodh Toa that comes from Daraban Pass, irrigates areas of Mouza Kot Lalu, which is on the western side of the Rodh and has stony soil.

After irrigating this area, this branch joins the northern branch near Zarkani Daraban Road. From this point to Saad Mastan there is no Gandi or Gatti in between. No area between these points is irrigated. When the Rodh enters the area of Mouza Mastan, a Dam is constructed across the bed of the Rodh called Saad Mastan. The Landowners of Gara Mastan and Gara Madda construct this Dam under the supervision of official Darogha of the Government. No number of bullocks is fixed for construction of Dam. Annually the bullocks are counted and list prepared for deployment.

Through Chall water from the bed of the Rodh, some lands of Gara Baran are irrigated from two sides of the Rodh. From Saad Mastan, water travels towards north and irrigates that portion of Gara Mastan, which is in line with Gara Madda on the southern side. After this it irrigates lands of Gara Madda and then again enters Mouza Mastan and irrigates its remaining area. Later the remaining water enters Mouza Mehmood Purdil. On the southern side of Saad, some areas of Gara Baran get irrigated through a Paal and some water also enters village Kot Issa Khan.

After this irrigation, the Saad is breached and the water reaches Saad Mehmood Purdil. This Saad is constructed by the Landowners of Mouza Mehmood Purdil under the supervision of official Darogha of the Government. From this Saad two channels irrigate lands on northern side of Mehmood Purdil. Western channel is known as Juma Khan Kainda and the second channel is known as Sharqi Kainda. On the western side of Saad Mehmood Purdil, the Paal known as Paal Jama Khanwali, carries the water from the bed of the Rodh towards North West of village Mehmood Purdil and irrigates the areas.

The remaining and wasted water including the water that enters this area from the northern portion of Gara Mastan, create ravines and travel through Sawan ravine into Gara Khan Wala and passing through Mouza Gandi Ashiq, falls into Rodh Toa. Reroute several other rainy ravines join this ravine. In the jurisdictions of Mouza Mehmood Purdil, one Paal is constructed by the Government that diverts and irrigates areas from this ravine water. The Government from this Paal has also constructed another Paal at the distance of 330 yards. In case one Paal gets washed away, the other Paal will irrigate the said area.

After this Gatta Juma Khan is constructed across the bed of Rodh Sawan that irrigates areas of Villages Mehmood Purdil and Gara Khanwala. Excessive water from here also irrigates villages Kot Wali Dad and Gandi Ashiq In the series is then Gatta Mohammad Khan Kumbharwala, which irrigates land in the southern region of Mehmood Purdil. Then this branch crosses D.I.Khan Daraban Road on the eastern side of village Gandi Ashiq and irrigates northern region of Mehmood Purdil. Later this Saad is breached.

Later this Rodh gets divided into two branches near the boundary of Gara Mehmood Purdil and Gara Khanwala. One branch goes straight towards east and the other joins Rodh Kori towards south. At this point of division Saad Phirni is constructed in the eastern branch, which diverts the entire water into the southern branch, through which it falls into Rodh Kori. Through this Saad the water continues to flow into the southern branch. One Saad is constructed on this southern branch known as Saad Tanazawala to irrigate southern regions of villages Khanwala and Gandi Ashiq. The Saads of Phirni and Tanazawala are constructed jointly by landowners of Khanwala and Gandi Ashiq through provision of 33 pairs of bullocks by Gara Khanwala and 6 pairs of bullocks by Gandi Ashiq.

Through this Saad the water enters into Kass Tanazawala through which it enters the lands of Daraban and irrigates some area of Mouza Daraban. Later this Kass gets divided into two. One in the south irrigates areas of Daraban and the eastern Kass irrigates Gara Khanwala and Gandi Ashiq. The water continues to flow in both these Kasses simultaneously.

Since Saad Phirni is a permanent Saad and allows the water of Rodh Toa to fall into Rodh Kori, the irrigation beyond Saad Phirni with Rodh Toa is not possible. In case Saad Phirni gets washed away or some wastewater from here and there falls into area beyond Saad Phirni into Rodh Toa, then it might irrigate some areas of Gara Khanwala. And then Gatti Ghulam Sarwarwali, Gatti Allah Buxwali, Gatti supper Dirkhanwali, Gatti Shah Jehanwali, can irrigate their lands. Later Rodh Kori also joins Rodh Toa on the northern side of village Gara Khanwala. Meaning that the water of Rodh Toa through Saad Phirni enters Rodh Kori and then again joins Rodh Toa at Kori Watoya and at this point it is again called Rodh Toa.

This Rodh Toa then enters the area of Village Gandi Ashiq and the landowners of the village construct Saad across the bed, known as Saad Gandi Ashiq. Only one Kainda (channel) comes out of the Saad on the southern side. At a little distance this channel gets divided into two branches. One branch goes towards south and the other towards east. Water flows in both the branches simultaneously.

Rodh Sawan that brings saved or wastewater from Gara Mehmood Purdil, passes through Gara Khanwala joins Rodh Toa at a distance of two kilometers, east of Gandi Ashiq. At a little distance from this point, the landowners construct another Saad, which irrigates the remaining area of Gandi Ashiq. Later from the same Rodh Toa Gatti Shahnawaz located on the on the northern side of old D.I.Khan Daraban Road and Gatti Abdur Rahimwali on the southern side get irrigated. Then this Rodh passes through Gandi Ashiq, Saggu, northern side of Kohawar and Saggu Miankheli, reenters Mouza Kohawar.

As it enters Mouza Kohawar, it irrigates areas under Gatti Hayatullahwali, Gatti Samandowali, and Gatti Fazaldinwali one after the other. One olden branch of Rodh Sawan joins near Gatti Samandowali and actual Rodh Sawan joins Rodh Toa near Gatti Fazaldinwali. Again this Rodh is known as Rodh Toa and a Dam or Saad is constructed across its bed called Saad Kohawar. At the moment no Saad is constructed. Whenever felt appropriate, this Saad is constructed. After Kohawar, Rodh Toa then passes through Mouza Dholka Jadid, Jandi, and enters Mouza Sawang in the Tehsil of D.I.Khan.

After the areas under Saad Phirni and Saad Gandi Ashiq get irrigated, extra water coupled with rainwater, create a ravine near the boundary of Daraban and Gandi Ashiq known as Khud Mashkan. The extra water coupled with rainwater from Saad Hassan or Saad Gandi Esab also creates a ravine, which joins this Khud Mashkan. Through these ravine areas under Gatti Akbar Banuchi, and Gatti Hafiz Abdullah gets irrigated. The individuals themselves construct these Gattis. From Gatti Hafiz Abdullah one channel or Kainda comes out which irrigates lands in Mouza Mochianwala.

Later this ravine enters Mouza Gandi Ashiq and Gatti Ghulam Hussain, Gatti Guldad Tragwali, Gatti Sahibdad Dholkawali, Gatti Akbar Dholkawali are constructed one after the other and irrigates lands of Mouza Gandi Ashiq.

This Khud then enters Mouza Kohawar. In this Mouza several Gattis are constructed across its bed one after the other like Gatti Mitha Pahorwali, Gatti Mohammada Pahorwali, Gatti Qada Dholkawali, Gatti Fazalwali, Gatti Marwatwali, Gatti Ramzanwali, Gatti Fazal Dinwali, and Gatti Taragwali. Most of the lands in Mouza Kohawar get irrigated under this arrangement. In-between Gatti Fazal Dinwali and Gatti Taragwali another Khud was formed towards east known as Khud Parkar that used to carry its water to Rodh Toa. Hence another Gatti was constructed over this Khud to prevent water to fall into Rodh Toa and enable the other Gattis to irrigate the lands under their command. From the excess water from these Gattis, a number of other ravines were formed on the western side near Mouza Dholka and Kohawar. To fill up these ravines with silt, Gattis Faqira and Wazira have been constructed.