Performance evaluation of pekua rubber dam at Cox,s Bazar

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of the Pekua Rubber Dam constructed over the Matamuhury River in Pekua upazila of Cox’s bazaar district. It was implemented by BWDB as a pilot project. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the technical status of the Pekua Rubber Dam in terms of its design and construction aspects; To evaluate the operation and maintenance system of the dam in the light of institutional provision and stakeholders’ participation in management process and to evaluate the impact of the Pekua Rubber Dam Project on socio-economic life of the stakeholders, local agricultural and environment. Both primary and secondary data were collected to conduct the study. Primary data were gathered by using a questionnaire from a sample of 50 stakeholders of the dam and conducting focus group discussions with the design engineers; people in charge of operation, maintenance and management of the dam; beneficiaries/stakeholders of the project and people of relevant local organizations. For gathering secondary data, relevant books, reports, articles, etc. on rubber dam as well as on the Pekua Rubber Dam Project were consulted. Major findings show that the rubber dam is functioning well since it implementation in June 2004. The length, height, shape, site selection, foundation design, floor length, depth of cut-off wall, fitting-fixing of rubber sheet, fixation level of overflow pipe, etc. of the dam were ok in terms of the design parameters consideration. Besides, an increasing trend of irrigated land and yield, yearly income of the stakeholders, employment opportunity as well as socio-economic status of the stakeholders was observed. The local environment also improved due to rise in underground water level and removing water logging. This helped to decline drought in the area and increase fish production. The dam also has some other strength in terms of implementation time, cost incurred and simplicity of construction. However, the dam has minor maintenance problems, like repair of pump machines, removal of clogging of foot valve and removal of silt from the xiv dam body, U/S stilling basin & D/S stilling basin. Some other significant limitations as detected are absence of any safety devise for automatically inflating and deflating the dam body in case of emergency; too deep floor level of the pump house which incurs a huge operation cost; interruption in boat communication; absence of any full time pump operator; absence of local management committees and stakeholders’ formal participation in management process. Another significant to mention limitation is lack of coordination between BWDB local office and other local relevant organizations. Based on the finding, this study suggests for some recommendations. They are: appoint full time pump operator(s); form different kinds of local bodies/committees with participation of the stakeholders; establish formal coordination system between BWDB local office and local relevant organizations and implement more rubber dams to support irrigation in other areas of Bangladesh. In doing so some change in technical aspects are recommended. For example, introducing a safety devise for automatic inflation and deflation of the dam body in case of emergency; a modified design of inlet and outlet pipe so that the mouths of the pipes can not be blocked with silt deposition and a submergible pump to curtail the huge costing of pump house.