Bheri-Babai Irrigation Project (Lidar Survey, Preparation of Ortho-Photo- 85000 ha and Detailed Engineering Design of Irrigation Project-46000 ha), Banke District, DOI / MWRID

Babai Irrigation Project (BIP) has a targeted command area of about 40,000 ha in Bardia District, of which about 19,000 ha lies on the left bank and the remaining 21,000 ha lies on the right bank. Implementation of Stage I of babai irrigation project was started form 1990 to provide irrigation water to 13,342 ha on the left bank of Babai River of which the currently developed system is providing irrigation services to about 7,000 ha. From the current fiscal year works have been initiated to construct an inverted siphon across Babai River which connects the Babai main canal to the existing farmers managed system supplying water to three sub-systems i.e. Neulapur, Dhodari and Taratal. These three sub-system are currently providing irrigation to about 12,000 ha on the right bank of Babai. GoN, through its program named Medium Irrigation Project, has been supporting these sub-systems in rehabilitation and strengthening. The natural flow available in Babai River is sufficient for developing irrigation system to Stage I area of 13,342 ha only. Stage II of BIP envisages diversion of water from Bheri River to Babai in order to meet the irrigation requirement of about 40,000 ha for which Bheri Babai Diversion Project has been conceptualized. Further the Irrigation Master Plan 1990 has indicated that a total of about 74,500 ha can be irrigated if such diversion were in place. The additional area includes the area presently under the command area of Sikta Irrigation Project and the lately settled area lying on the north of East – West Highway in between Royal Bardia national Park and Man Khola.

Head-works head regulator and settling basin of BIP have been designed and constructed to provide irrigation for 40,000 has of Bardia district. A new canal system (possibility of utilizing part of already constructed main canal after remodeling exists) together with a suitable diversion structure would be needed for supplying water to the additional area.

A number of studies were completed on BBDP during 1990s and early 2000. These studies have indicated that the transfer of water from Bheri to Babai is a viable option. The transfer would generate electricity of the order of 48 MW at base load.

There are basically following objectives of this study:

• To prepare an ortho-photo map overlaid with contours of 0.25 m interval of the Project Area i.e. 80,500 ha.

• To plan a system of canals that would provide year round irrigation to about 46,000 ha (Su Project Area) of agriculture land in Bardia District so as to enable optimization of water diversion from Bheri to Babai and the resulting power generation.

• The study further aims to carry out field survey and detailed engineering design of the irrigation system to a level sufficient to implement the optimized option of Bheri –Babai Diversion Project.

It is anticipated that the following approaches be adopted in course of rendering requisite services:

• Adoption of a ‘system perspective” approach, wherever possible instead of an ad-hoc provisional measure.

• Fielding of most able and relevant professionals to perform and accomplish their respective jobs as described in this proposal. Due care will be taken as to materialize timely and efficient mobilization to accomplish the assigned tasks within stipulated periods.

• Choices of prudent tools, processes and technologies that have been tested and proven at the field level through on-going as well as past projects would b made wherever applicable.

• Full use of available and applicable information such as reports, maps / drawings, specifications, guidelines and any other relevant information relating to the accomplishment of the proposed services with established professional standards, sound engineering and socio-economic practices.

• Fullest use of all standards/ guidelines / instructions formulated by DoI, DOA and the multi-lateral and bi-lateral donor agencies.

• Deployment of constant vigil and alertness in forecasting, escaping and mitigating the project risks at every stage of the project preparation.

• Close coordination and effective communication with all stakeholders.

Completion of the proposed services within the bounds of project stipulated time and resources.