In the Lap of the Mountains - Irrigation Systems of Ladakh's Farming Communities (English version) (original) (raw)

Abstract

In the valleys of the Himalayan and Karakorum mountain ranges farming communities thrive at some of the world’s highest altitudes by channelling snow melt to their farmland. Without the careful control and management of water resources it would be impossible for humans and their animals to live in this region. In recent decades the lifestyles and expectations of villagers have changed a lot due to political and economic developments and cultural influences. However communities are adapting to these changes while continuing to work collectively to manage their village infrastructure. The documentary focuses on a village located in the Suru valley, Kargil district. It presents a brief overview of the village’s history, the villager’s livelihoods, and the government programmes supporting the villagers. The systems of water rights that govern the use and management of the village’s irrigation channels closely resemble those of the irrigation rights and customs recorded during the land revenue settlements and re-assessments of the early 20th century. Yet changes are also evident. Two irrigation systems created without governmental support, since Indian independence, are highlighted. Using local materials, water users collectively repair a section of one of these channels, however towards its headwork an irrigation department project is concretising parts of the channel. The irrigation systems serve to highlight the tension that exists between proven traditions and uncertain futures. This 52-minute documentary film is directed by Dr Joe Hill, using video footage captured during field research in Ladakh, northern India, conducted as part of a post-doc under the BMBF-funded research programme, Crossroads Asia. Patrick Nehls, a PhD student at the University of Bonn, is the film’s editor, and Andi Ruether, a freelance filmmaker, contributed significantly in the post-production stage. The Urdu version of the film was screened and given to the villagers who appear in it. It was also provided to top government officials in Kargil district, Ladakh, and broadcasted on a local TV channel in the district. The English version of the film was premiered in July 2015 at the 17th Conference of the International Association for Ladakh Studies (IALS), and has also been screened at universities in England, Germany, France and India. The filmmakers hope that the documentary’s message will help locals and officials to reflect on developments taking place in the Ladakh region. A documentary by Joe Hill and Patrick Nehls Post-production by Andreas Rüther

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