Introduction

The Irrigation and Water Resources Management Project (including the former Praganna and Badkapath Irrigation Projects), situated in the Deukhuri Valley of Dang District, has been established with the objectives of water resource conservation and management, river and water-induced disaster management, flood control, and the development and rehabilitation of surface irrigation systems. Aiming to provide irrigation services to 5,800 hectares of land, the Praganna Kulo Irrigation Project was implemented under the Kuwait Fund in 1998 (2055 BS), with construction and improvement works partially completed in 2007 (2064 BS). Subsequently, in the financial year 2011/12 (2068/69 BS), the Government of Nepal established the Badkapath Irrigation Project with the goal of providing irrigation facilities to 4,000 hectares of arable land.

To implement these projects in an integrated manner, the Praganna and Badkapath Irrigation Project, Lamahi, Dang, was transformed to also incorporate the works previously carried out by the People’s Embankment Programme, Field Office No. 6, Lamahi. In accordance with the Department’s Organisation and Management (O&M) Survey Report approved by the Government of Nepal (Council of Ministers) on 24 March 2025 (2081/12/11 BS), the organisational structure of the Department and its subordinate bodies was restructured. Consequently, this office was formally established in Ward No. 5 of Lamahi Municipality on 16 July 2025 (1 Shrawan 2082) for the 2025/26 (2082/83) financial year.

Work scope of this project

1.    Praganna Irrigation Project.

2.    Badkapath Irrigation Project.

3.    Expansion of surface irrigation services to all cultivable land within the Deukhuri Valley.

4.    Management of the Babai River (Dang and Salyan sections) along with the protection of related areas, flood control, and embankments.

5.    Management of the Sharada River (lower section of the Sharada River) along with the protection of related areas, flood control, and embankments.

6.    Management of the West Rapti River (Dang and Banke sections) along with the protection of related areas, flood control, and embankments.