KATHMANDU: The government has said irrigation coverage across Nepal has continued to expand gradually due to improved management and ongoing infrastructure development.
According to the current fiscal year progress report published by the Ministry of Finance, projects implemented by the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation at the federal level have extended irrigation facilities to 1.59 million hectares of land.
Of the total irrigable land, 532,655 hectares now have year-round irrigation facilities. The government said several large and strategic projects are being implemented to further increase permanent irrigation access.
The ministry stated that underground irrigation projects alone have expanded irrigation coverage to 546,448 hectares, while lift and reservoir irrigation programs have added irrigation access to 6,088 hectares.
Similarly, 1,518 kilometers of embankments have been constructed along large and medium-sized rivers, helping reclaim 13,891 hectares of land.
The report also noted that underground irrigation initiatives have contributed to irrigation expansion across 1,037,848 hectares.
Under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, 192 hydrological stations and 355 weather monitoring stations have been established and brought into operation.
To manage risks from river erosion, flooding, and landslides, the government allocated Rs 5.59 billion in the current fiscal year for river control programs along major rivers including the Mahakali, Karnali, Narayani, and Koshi.
As part of those efforts, 1,494.71 kilometers of embankments have been built along rivers including the Mahakali-Darchula, Karnali, Narayani, Babai, Aurahi, Khando, Triyuga, and Koshi Bakraha.
The ministry said protection and mitigation works are ongoing in 15 high-risk market areas as of the end of Falgun in the current fiscal year.
Likewise, landslide management work is underway at 53 identified high-risk locations following detailed studies and assessments. The government has also prepared 12 basin master plans and expanded 3,164 lift irrigation systems.
In addition, maintenance work has been completed on 2,557 hectares of surface irrigation systems, while 174 hectares of new surface irrigation networks have been added.
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