Performance evaluation of rubber dam projects in Bagladesh

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.