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NETWORKING |
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| Yatra with a difference Who were the pilgrims The yatris said... |
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INITIATIVE |
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| Orissa's efforts People rediscover water |
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POLICY |
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| Communities do have an answer |
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| Vol. 3 | No. 1 |
Februray 2001 |
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Glimpses of books
Kunda Dixit, Bhim Subba, Panos Institute, South Asia, Kathmandu Nepal, June 2000 115pp This book is a collection of oral testimonials originally in Nepalese. Language is humankinds’ greatest discovery. It is in one’s mother tongue that one can clearly express thoughts and feelings. The objective of recording testimonials, according to the author is to enable the subject’s views to reach the listener or the reader with minimal transformation. This is the reason why, even though career journalists have recorded these testimonials, the compilations have not been professionally polished. The readers may find the opinions repetitive even contradictory at places but this has been done to preserve the purity of the original conversation. The book is born out of the belief that the views of the people who, for various reasons, are unable to communicate their ideas and opinions publicly through writing or in speech areas important as the views of the individual s who can read or write. This book is an attempt to give life to the ideas and opinions of the general public without prejudice and without lacing such views with interpretations and comments. These have been penned down in simple day to day language making it interesting to read. We can learn a great deal through these testimonies about traditional methods of water management in Nepal as well as original customs and traditions of different communities., the changes taking place, and the local needs. The author believes that tangible work can be done in favour of decentralisation, which is necessary for the development of a country, if the views and experiences recorded here can reach development planners, implementers and communicators. The book gives information about different water resources like wells, ponds, springs,
irrigation canals, water mills and rivers as well as various aspects of water management
relating to culture and civilization, production, marketing and living standards. Not only
does the book cover successes of local level irrigation systems, it also tells the story
of how these have been stifled by large, ambitious projects. It is also clear how, in the
absence of planned programmes, the lives and value-systems of local communities have been
affected. Practical accounts and personal experiences of people who have tended and built
water canals and ponds with their own hands have been shared.Their narration reflects
traditional knowledge and skills useful for developing water resources and to highlight
the impact of the changing environment and traditional practices as well as mismanagement
of this resource. Techniques and methods used in different places may be different, but
one thing that is common and the basis of the success of these traditional systems is the
system by which people worked in a participatory manner to manage their water bodies and
irrigation canals. In terms of coverage only Kathmandu, Lalitpur Sindhupslchowk, Chitwan
and Nawalparasi districts have been covered. In this respect the book may not bring out
all our traditional wisdom, but it certainly does provide alternative view of development
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