IRRIGATION ACTIVITIES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

To increase the crop production, the importance of irrigation is well established. Adequate and timely supply of irrigation water to crops is the pre- requisite in the agriculture production process, particularly in area where the rainfall is very scanty and irregular. The supply of land is fixed i.e. inelastic therefore the accelerated growth in production is possible through multiple cropping and realization of higher crop yield per unit area, which in turn depends upon irrigation. Creation of irrigation potential and its optimum utilization continues to receive a high priority in Government planning.
Out of the total geographical area of 55.67 lakh hectare of Himachal, only 5.83 lakh hectares is the net area sown. It is estimated that ultimate irrigation potential of the State is approximately 3.35 lakh hectare. Out of this 0.50 lakh hectare can be brought under irrigation through major and medium irrigation projects and balance 2.85 lakh hectare of area can be provided irrigation through minor irrigation schemes by different agencies. Irrigation facilities are being created under various programmes such as Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) Programme of NABARD and also under State Sector.

The works on medium irrigation projects were taken up in hand in the State during 5th plan. Since then four medium irrigation projects creating a CCA of 11236 hectare in the State have been completed. The completed projects are Giri Irrigation Project (CCA 5263 hectare.), Balh Valley Project (CCA 2410 hectare.), Bhabour Sahib Phase-I (CCA 923 hectare.) and Bhabour Sahib Phase-II (CCA 2640 hectare.) Recently one Major & three Medium Irrigation Projects have been completed under AIBP creating CCA 23567 hectares. These projects are Major Irrigation project Shahnehar (CCA 15287 hectare.), medium irrigation project Sidhatha (CCA 3150 hectare.), Changer Area (CCA 2350 hectare.) & Balh Valley (LB) (CCA 2780 hectare) respectively.