Gujarat, located in western India, is characterized by arid and semi-arid climatic conditions, making irrigation and water resource management crucial for its agrarian and industrial economy. The state has achieved significant progress in harnessing its water resources through innovative projects, interlinking of rivers, and sustainable water management practices.
Geographic and Climatic Overview
Geography: Gujarat is bordered by the Arabian Sea and spans diverse terrains, including coastal areas, plains, and hilly regions.
Climate: The state experiences erratic rainfall, with an average annual precipitation of approximately 850 mm, most of which occurs during the monsoon season.
Major Water Resources in Gujarat
Rivers:
Gujarat is home to 185 rivers, major ones being:
Narmada: The lifeline of Gujarat.
Tapi: Vital for southern Gujarat.
Sabarmati: Supports water supply in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
Mahi: Contributes to irrigation and hydropower generation.
Banas: Significant for northern Gujarat's water needs.
Groundwater:
Over 80% of the drinking water and a substantial portion of irrigation needs are met through groundwater resources.
Regions like Saurashtra and Kutch heavily depend on groundwater due to limited surface water availability.
Lakes and Reservoirs:
Numerous lakes, like Kankaria in Ahmedabad, serve urban and rural water needs.
Reservoirs such as Sardar Sarovar and Ukai provide irrigation and drinking water.
Dams and Canals:
Gujarat has over 200 major and minor dams.
The Sardar Sarovar Dam, part of the Narmada Project, is the largest and plays a pivotal role in water distribution.
Irrigation Infrastructure in Gujarat
Canal Systems:
Narmada Canal Network: Covers approximately 18,000 km and supports irrigation across 17 districts.
Ukai-Kakrapar Project: Provides irrigation for Surat and neighboring districts.
Lift Irrigation Schemes:
Utilized in areas where traditional canal irrigation is challenging due to topography.
Examples include projects in Saurashtra and Kutch.
Check Dams:
Gujarat has built over 2 lakh check dams to enhance
groundwater recharge and ensure water availability for agriculture.Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation:
Promoted under schemes like Micro Irrigation Scheme to conserve water and increase efficiency.
These methods are extensively used in horticulture and cash crops.
Major Irrigation Projects
Sardar Sarovar Project:
Capacity: 7.7 million acre-feet of live storage.
Purpose: Provides irrigation to 1.8 million hectares and drinking water to over 9,000 villages.
Impact: Supplies water to drought-prone regions like Saurashtra, Kutch, and North Gujarat.
Ukai Project:
Built on the Tapi River, it provides water for irrigation and generates hydroelectric power.
Dharoi Dam:
Constructed on the Sabarmati River, it supports irrigation and urban water supply.
Kadana and Panam Projects:
These dams contribute significantly to irrigation and drinking water needs in central Gujarat.
Water Resource Management in Gujarat
Interlinking of Rivers:
Gujarat is a pioneer in interlinking rivers to redistribute water from surplus to deficit areas.
Example: Linking Narmada with
the Sabarmati.Sujalam Sufalam Yojana:
Launched to enhance groundwater recharge through water harvesting structures and to optimize canal systems.
Groundwater Conservation:
Adoption of Jal Sanchay Abhiyan to rejuvenate traditional water harvesting structures.
Policies to regulate excessive groundwater extraction in overexploited zones.
Desalination Plants:
Gujarat has established desalination plants along the coastline to provide drinking water, notably the one in Bhavnagar.
Challenges in Irrigation and Water Resource Management
Erratic Rainfall:
Gujarat's dependence on monsoons makes water availability unpredictable.
Groundwater Depletion:
Over-extraction has led to declining water tables in areas like Kutch and Saurashtra.
Salinity Ingress:
Coastal regions face salinity ingress, impacting both agriculture and drinking water quality.
Urbanization and Industrialization:
Rapid growth has increased water demand and competition between agriculture, domestic, and industrial sectors.
Government Initiatives
Krishi Mahotsav:
Promotes awareness among farmers regarding efficient water use and modern irrigation techniques.
Watershed Development Program:
Focused on rain-fed areas to improve water availability and agricultural productivity.
Jal Kranti Abhiyan:
Encourages community participation in water conservation.
Special Packages for Saurashtra and Kutch:
Includes large-scale check dam construction and other water resource development projects.
Future Prospects
Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM):
Ensures equitable water distribution and sustainable utilization.
Technology Integration:
Use of GIS and satellite imagery for real-time monitoring of water resources.
Policy Reforms:
Encouraging PPP (Public-Private Partnerships) in irrigation projects.
Renewable Energy for Irrigation:
Solar-powered water pumps to reduce dependency on conventional energy sources.
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