2702
Minor Irrigation
(i)
Background: Except Apatani Plateau of Lower Subansiri District,
Irrigation system was little known to the Arunachalees till
1950. Despite hilly terrain, low crop productivity and small
land holdings, primary occupation of major population of
Arunachal Pradesh is agriculture. Although the geographical
area is larger than Assam, cultivable flat and mild slope
area in the State is limited and hence every acre of irrigable
land is to be planned properly to increase the productivity.
Many farmers are resorting to shifting cultivation with
primitive agricultural practices. In order to discourage
the environmentally adverse shifting cultivation, permanent
cultivation with assured irrigation facilities to the limited
available area is the endeavor of the Govt.
The
ultimate irrigation potential of Arunachal Pradesh as assessed
by the Water & Power consultancy Services (India) Ltd.
(WAPCOS) during 1994 is 3.60 lakh hectare through surface
water and 0.18 lakh hectare through ground water at irrigation
intensity of 200%. This figure, which accounts for about
2.00% of State’s geographical area, needs to be reviewed
in due course of time. The actual ultimate irrigation potential
is expected to be more than 3.60 lakh hectare due to population
growth leading to de-reservation of social forestry and
unclassified forests for agricultural purposes.
The
ultimate irrigation potential of 3.60 hectare through surface
water implies that net potential area available for irrigated
cultivation is 1.80-lakh hectare. This indicates that irrigation
potential creation and its utilization need to be emphasized
to meet the growing demand of anticipated population growth.
Judicious irrigation management practices through active
participatory approach require to be stepped up.
(ii)
Achievements: Reports of Minor Irrigation Census of the
State reveals that about 1.20-lakh hectare (about 66.67%
of available potential) irritation potential has been created
till the end of 4th year of Xth Five Year Plan. Geological
fragility of Himalayan Region combined with highest rainfall
intensity in the State result in frequent damages to the
irrigation structures constructed earlier. Many minor irrigation
projects have been rendered defunct due to water related
damages. It is reported that about 30% of created potential
(0.36 Lakh hectare) are lying defunct due to water related
damages.
As against the potential creation of 1.20-lakh hectare,
potential utilization is reported to be 0.48 lakh hectare,
which is 40% of potential created. There exists a utilization
gap of 60% at present. Expansion of area of utilization
is done through the Command Area Development and Water management
programme with active involvement of Water Users Associations
in several commands.
(iii)
Vision: As mentioned above, that about 66.67% of available
potential of the State has been created and about 40% of
the created potential has been brought under utilization,
more achievement has to be made in potential creation and
even more emphasis has to be given to reduce the utilization
gap. The vision of the Department would be to achieve additional
potential creation of 0.60-lakh hectare and restore the
lost potential of 0.36-lakh hectare along with the plan
for bringing 1.32 Lakh hectare under utilization in future.
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