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Major Irrigation Projects & Their Locations
| Project Name | Location (State) | River / Source | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jawai Project | Rajasthan | Jawai River (part of Luni river system) | It is not located in Tamil Nadu. |
| Ukai Canal Project | Gujarat | Tapti River | Dam built on the Tapti River. |
| Ghatprabha Canal Project | Karnataka | Ghataprabha River | – |
| Nira Canal Project | Maharashtra | Nira River (tributary of Krishna) | – |
| Farakka Barrage Project | West Bengal (Murshidabad) | Ganga River | Purpose: To protect Kolkata Port and improve navigation. Canal capacity: 40,000 cusecs. |
| Indira Gandhi Canal | Rajasthan | Source: Harike Barrage (Firozpur, Punjab) at the confluence of Sutlej and Beas rivers. | Main canal length: 649 km. Irrigates W. Rajasthan (Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer). |
| Saran Irrigation Canal | Bihar | Gandak River | – |
| Triveni Canal | Bihar | – | Part of the Chandan Irrigation Project. |
| Mangalam Irrigation Project | Kerala (Palakkad) | – | Part of the Bharathapuzha river basin projects. |
Sources of Irrigation in India
A. Dominant Source
- Tubewells/Wells are the dominant source of irrigation in India.
- Tubewells alone accounted for 46.2% of the total irrigated area (2014-15 data).
B. Regional Variations
- Peninsular India: Ponds are a major source due to rocky terrain (making canals/wells difficult) and seasonal rivers.
- Saryupar Plain (U.P.): Spectacular growth in tubewell irrigation due to a lack of canals.
C. State-wise Irrigation Coverage (% of Cropped Area)
| State | Irrigation Coverage |
|---|---|
| Punjab | Highest (98.7% – 98.8%) |
| Haryana | Second Highest (~90.4%) |
| Uttar Pradesh | ~80.3% |
| Madhya Pradesh | ~44.1% |
| Maharashtra | ~19.5% |
D. State-wise Area under Tubewell Irrigation
- Uttar Pradesh has the largest area irrigated by tubewells in India.
Types and Methods of Irrigation
A. Micro-Irrigation
- Benefits: Reduces fertilizer/nutrient loss and helps check receding groundwater levels.
- It is not the only means of irrigation in dryland farming.
B. Life-Saving / Protective Irrigation
- Refers to irrigation provided at the Permanent Wilting Point (PWP), a critical stage when soil moisture is too low for plant survival.
C. Project Classification
- Minor Irrigation Projects have the maximum irrigation potential in India (62%).
- Definition: Cultivable command area of up to 2,000 hectares.
- Includes: Dug wells, tubewells, tanks, and lift irrigation.
Key Personalities in Indian Irrigation
| Personality | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Sir Arthur Cotton | Pioneer of irrigation works in South India. |
| Captain Dinshaw J. Dastur | Proposed the Garland Canal System. |
| Dr. K.L. Rao & Sir M. Visvesvaraya | Known for their early proposals on interlinking rivers. |
Supplemental Details from Additional Notes
Indira Gandhi Canal (Rajasthan Canal) – Detailed Profile
- Origin: Harike Barrage (Firozpur, Punjab) at the confluence of Sutlej and Beas rivers. Also uses water from the Ravi River and Pong Barrage on the Beas.
- History: Construction started in 1958; foundation laid by Govind Ballabh Pant; initial idea proposed by Kanwar Sain.
- Irrigated Area: Western Rajasthan (Ganganagar, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer).
- Important Note: The water of the Ghaggar river is NOT utilized.
Other Significant Canals in India
- Gang Canal: One of the oldest systems (completed 1927) by Maharaja Ganga Singh; takes off from Sutlej River at Hussainiwala, Firozpur.
- Buckingham Canal: A 796 km freshwater canal along the Coromandel Coast from Kakinada (AP) to Viluppuram (TN).
- Lower Ganga Canal: Taken from Ganga River at Narora (completed 1878); length 98.8 km.
- Chambal Canal Project: Related to the Yamuna River Basin (part of Ganga Basin).
Watershed Development & Irrigation Schemes
- Sharda Tributary Command Development Project:
- Part of the Command Area Development Programme (CADP).
- Objectives: Increase agricultural production, promote multiple crop cultivation, implement land management reforms.
- Hariyali Scheme:
- Launched on January 27, 2003, by PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- A watershed management project focused on water management, wasteland development, and afforestation.
- Integrated Watershed Development Programme (IWMP):
- A merger of IWDP, DPAP, and DDP.
- Implemented by: Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development.
- Benefits: Prevents soil runoff/erosion, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, regeneration of natural vegetation.
- Note: National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) is a separate scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Irrigation Techniques
- Drip Irrigation Advantages:
- Reduces weed growth and soil erosion.
- Efficient use of water and fertilizer.
- Note: It does not lead to a reduction in soil salinity.
Water Consumption in India
- The Agricultural Sector has the largest share of water consumption in India.
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