Physical and Social Factors in Management of Community Based Water Storage Structures in Gujarat: An Institutional Analysis of Local Governance

Abstract

Policy intervention in the management of community based water storage structures (CBWS) depends on identifying the factors governing collective action and institutions. Institutional factors not only have a direct bearing on the functioning of CBWS but also often interact with physical and technical factors to influence their sustainability. The present study has examined these issues taking sustainability of CBWS as a function of two components, financial viability and CBWS functionality to draw policy implications in Indian context. Data collected from field surveys revealed that Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) functionality, perception about change in water collection time and number of households served by the water resource significantly affected financial viability of CBWS. The CBWS functionality was, similarly, found to be significantly affected by factors like accessibility and use restriction with respect to the CBWS. PRI functionality in respect of community resource management, therefore, need to be addressed 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 affected the physical status of the resource and catchment land use and storage to catchment ratio, which affected operational status of the source, are critical while designing location and size of the water resource such as pond.