Design of hill irrigation in Chirang, Bhutan

The aim of this paper is to describe and explain some innovative designs adopted on the Chirang Hill Irrigation Project in Bhutan in the eastern Himalayas. The project aimed to improve about 80 farmer built canals during the period 1986-90, with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank. These improvements were undertaken with extensive farmer participation, following standard designs. Some of these designs are similar to those used widely elsewhere, but this paper concentrates on others which are less common.