SMALL DAMS AND SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT: A CASE STUDY OF POTOHAR, PAKISTAN

Small dams are vital infrastructures that can be used to address water scarcity issues, promote sustainable agriculture practices and improve rural livelihoods. In Pakistan, where is the main source of livelihood for majority population, construction small has been identified as a means providing irrigation farmlands improving socio-economic status communities. This paper focuses on impact social empowerment in Potohar region Pakistan. Locale study was Plateau Pakistan which includes Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum Rawalpindi. Data were collected from encroachment areas ten dams. beneficiaries non-beneficiaries through structured tool. shoes participation farmer with different education groups, type their family, marital status, cultivated land, empowerment. represents participant reported four levels empowerment, higher level by 65.0 percent. addition, data shows not dependent utilization dam water. And regression analysis between respondent’s p values 0.485, less than value alpha. So, we conclude found under but linked utilization. further suggest explore key indicators Potohar. Keywords: dams, Plateau,