Performance Assessment of an Irrigation system in Tamilnadu India

Abstract

After independence the Government of India implemented five-year plans to develop every sector of our nation In those five year plans irrigation and power sectors were given prime importance Most of the irrigation and power projects in Tamilnadu state came up before 1980 These projects were designed in such a way to suit the conditions prevailed during the years of implementation Agriculture is the only source of income in rural area In those days people used the locally available water both surface and ground water for drinking domestic purposes and mostly ground water from open wells for irrigation At present we could see a severe scarcity of drinking water in many places usage of irrigation water partly for rural and urban water supply farmers coming out of agricultural activities due to either insufficiency of water for agriculture or no assured income from agriculture for their survival and agricultural lands are being converted into commercial lands So we are in a position to give more attention for drinking water supply to both rural and urban areas providing irrigation water supply and safeguarding agricultural lands This situation has come in a period of 40 years This says us that the scenario after 50 years from now will be entirely different from the present So there is a need to review irrigation projects with a view of the future Tamil Nadu state receives most of the rainfall during October to December Hence it is essential to conserve water when available In the present scenario changes have also taken place in rainfall pattern irrigation requirements and utilization of water In future rising demands may limit the water available for irrigation newline