As efficiency improves, more water will be available for human consumption. In the snowmelt areas, agricultural production is still carried out via basin irrigation systems, and their efficiency can be improved. As the water comes down the hill, it is checked by a series of earthen dam. The water thus checked is allowed to seep slowly down into the soil. Water rights have been historically determined.
Water can only go through the main, predetermined channel.
This water is allowed to flow out of the side water channels only when there is excessive water. The excess water can be used by all. The work on earthen dams is done by all the farmers, irrespective of status. In this part of the Sulaiman range, where the average land holding is about 36 ha, there are as many as 1,009 cooperatives. The special requirements of mountain households should be specifically linked to the integrated water system.