Hill Torrents’ Management and Social Relations of Farmers: A Study of Arid Land in Tehsil D.G. Khan

Abstract

The present study explored the use of hill torrents’ water among farmers and its effects on their social relations in catchment areas of hill torrents from Koh-e-Suleman in Tehsil Dera Ghazi Khan. The study found that hill torrents’ water is the only source in often areas and it is stored by different methods to use for agriculture and livestock round the year. The water distribution mechanism promotes cooperation among farmers and helps them to form new relations with co-farmers at their neighboring land. It could also lead to competition and conflict among famers sometimes as water remains scarce. Further, government and non-government organization should cooperate local people through timely weather forecasts, building concrete diversions, bundhs, ponds and small dams to manage water of hill torrents.