Construction of ditches for irrigation pipes

Abstract

The Himalaya community is situated about an hour’s drive off the main road down a very bumpy track (nicknamed ‘spend an hour’ locally. A truck delivering equipment for the micro hydro was stuck here for some time. There are two co-operatives, one taking advantage of the plentiful supply of wood and the other implementing an irrigation scheme. They are also building a powered business centre. “It is very hard work. We have to carry this sand and stones a long distance to the construction site. But we are very keen for this project to succeed so we are eager to do this work. Before this project electricity was a pipe dream for us, but now it will be real. The irrigation will change our lives, we will have crops all year round – peas, potatoes, beans and tomatoes as well as maize.”