Irrigation and Agriculture

Punjab Irrigated Agriculture Investment Program — Project 1 | Pakistan (Completed 2018)

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) supported and worked with Pakistan to improve water resource management and increase the productivity of irrigated agriculture in the Punjab province. The project consisted of rehabilitating irrigation infrastructure and improving the management of ground and surface water.

"Ever since they made a new canal, there is more water available for locals here. I love taking a bath here." — Haseeb, 8, enjoys a bath in water that was pumped from the Lower Bari Duab Canal in Punjab, Pakistan.

Najma, 27, cuts the wheat crop near Lower Bari Doab Canal near Balloki headworks in Punjab, Pakistan. Ever since the construction of the canal, the production of crops has increased which has ensured more work for farmers and laborers.

Climate Resilience and Adaptation

Building Climate Resilient Watersheds in Mountain Eco-Regions | Nepal

The building of climate resilient watersheds in Mountain Eco-Regions has improved water management and provided a usable supply of water for use in the home and for agriculture in about 100 communities in Nepal. Under changing climate conditions, the project has helped in increasing the reliability and availability of water in hill and mountain watersheds in the Far West of Nepal.

Villagers collect drinking water from the community tap next to a 26 cubic meter water reservoir. The water source conservation and fruit plantation sub-project is now almost complete after 2 years of construction in very difficult terrain in Dhunga Village, Doti District, Nepal.

Village girls play on a dam, which is part of an erosion control structure in the village to slow down flash floods. COntruction of the dam is part of the water source conservation and fruit plantation sub-project in Dhunga Village, Doti District, Nepal.

Community and Urban Infrastructure

Second Chittagong Hill Tracts Rural Development Project | Bangladesh

Asian Development Bank (ADB) helped in improving Bangladesh livelihoods in the ethnically unique and geographically isolated Chittagong Hill Tracts. The project funded institutional development and capacity building, rural access roads and markets, village infrastructure, and the development of micro-agribusinesses.

Marma women use a hand water pump to collect water from a tubewell, Boli Para, Thanchi, Banderban. Together with ADB, improvements are being made in Bangladesh livelihoods in the ethnically unique and geographically isolated Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Marma women return home from the village market in Boli Para, Thanchi, Banderban. Together with ADB, improvements are being made in Bangladesh livelihoods in the ethnically unique and geographically isolated Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Development Project | India

The Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Development Project was designed to respond to the lagging urban development in India. Economic growth stimulated urbanization, but the investment in urban infrastructure and services did not from proportionally.

This lag resulted in the deterioration in the quality of life of the people and resulted in severe social and public health problems. The poor, women, and children were especially disadvantaged. The situation is expected to worsen at an accelerating pace unless extensive urban renewal occurs. Comprehensive policies, institutional reforms, and capacity building are needed to put a stop to this deterioration, along with the provision of expanded infrastructure and services in almost every aspect of urban development — such as water, sanitation, sewage, solid waste management, roads, hospitals, and protection of historic sites.

The project sought to improve social and economic life in urban Rajasthan through policy reforms geared to strengthen urban management and lend support to priority investments in urban infrastructure and services. Its aim was to meet basic human needs, improve the general quality of life, and stimulate sustainable development. The overall goal of the project was to alleviate the detrimental and difficult living conditions of the urban poor, particularly women and children.

Routine check done by the sewage treatment plant staff in Delawas, Jaipur. The plant is part of the ADB best practices projects list. Teams from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Philippines have visited the plant to study its model.

Machine filtering the trash at the sewage treatment plant in Delawas, Jaipur, India. The plant is part of the ADB best practices projects list. Teams from Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Philippines have visited the plant to study its model.

Water Sanitation and Accessibility

Koror-Airai Sanitation Project | Palau

The ongoing project improves sewage treatment and the operation of the sewera network in Koror, Palau. It also minimizes the frequency and severity of uncontrolled sewage flows. About 80% of Palau’s population of 20,950, including tourists visiting the island, directly benefit from the project. A new sustainable sewer system in Airai, Palau is also being developed. Overall, the project develops sewage treatment and waste disposal methods that meet Palau’s environmental and health standards. It also makes hygienic public toilets available in Koror.

Sewer network rehabilitation and expansion works at the Malakal and Meyuns area. The Koror-Airai Sanitation Project aims to improve sanitation services in Airai and Koror, where about 80% of the country’s population live.

Aerial shot of Palau at the location of the Koror-Airai Sanitation Project.