Abstract

Factors governing hydrological and institutional factors define policy intervention in the management of community based water storage structures (CBWS). Institutional factors have a direct bearing on the functioning of CBWS and also interact with physical and technical factors to influence their sustainability. The present study attempts to examine sustainability of CBWS to draw policy implications in Indian context. The study revealed that financial viability of CBWS was affected by Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) functionality, perception about change in water collection time and number of households served by the water resource significantly. Similarly factors like accessibility and use restriction with respect to the CBWS significantly affected the CBWS functionality. It was concluded that, in Indian context, PRI functionality in respect of community resource management needs to be addressed for both financial viability as well as functionality of CBWS. This could be achieved through better representation of women and weaker section of the community in management of these resources as these sections of society are largely affected by their management. Factors such as use restriction of community water source which affects the physical status of the resource and storage to catchment ratio, which affects operational status of the source, are critical while designing location and size of the community water resource such as pond.

Key words: Community, water storage structures, management, common property resource

Abbreviation

JEL classification: D02, D79, Q25, Q58