Abstract:
This study is concerned with the performance evaluation of the rubber dam projects
implemented in Bangladesh. Towards attaining this goal, the performance of the two
completed pilot rubber dam projects named Idgaon and Bakkhali rubber dam projects in
Cox's Bazar district have been evaluated.
The aspects of evaluation were engineering, agricultural, environmental and
organizational. Engineering evaluation involved identification of construction, operation
and maintenance problems and mitigative measures. Agricultural evaluation involved
assessment of impacts on irrigated area, cropping intensity and yield. Environmental
evaluation involved evaluation of impacts on fisheries, drought, water logging, ground
water table and boat communication. Organizational evaluation involved evaluation of
organizational set-up including peoples' participation and operation and maintenance cost
recovery of the projects.
The evaluation was carried out through collection of data and information after proper
discussion with the respondents using necessary checklists, making fielq visits and study
of relevant documents. Data and information was gathered from the project beneficiaries,
adversely affected local people and the service givers and the results were verified with
the relevant experts at the thana level finalizing the same.
Major findings of this study are that the rubber dam projects have no major problem in
construction, operation and maintenance. Moreover, implementation period is short due
to simplicity in the construction work. Development cost is low compared to traditional
water retention structures. Construction work of rubber dam has some limitation as
implementation .work requires special supervision and the rubber bags are not
manufactured in Bangladesh. There is no major O&M problems. However, some minor
problems such as leakage of rubber bags, disorder of pump machines, siltation over the
rubber bags and clogging of foot valves were encountered which could be mitigated
easily at the local level through the pat1icipation of the beneficiaries and the service
givers. It has positive agricultural impact. An increasing trend in irrigated area and yield
was observed. This is mainly due to improved water management in the project area and
the people's confidence in project operation. It has no adverse environmental impact
except boat communication. Informal organizational set-up was there during the
operation of the earthen dams. But the organizational set-up was weak and the people's
participation and operation and maintenance cost recovery were not adequate. The
existing organizational set-up were strengthened through institutional intervention.
Present organizations are operating satisfactorily in respect of proper water management,
resolution of conflicts, operation and maintenance and cost recovery of the rubber dams.
