Irrigation and Hydro Power of Meghalaya
Bamboo irrigation in Meghalaya
In Meghalaya (one of the seven northeastern states in India), an ingenious system of tapping of stream and springwater by using bamboo pipes to irrigate plantations is widely prevalent. It is so perfected that about 18-20 litres of water entering the bamboo pipe system per minute gets transported over several hundred metres and finally gets reduced to 20-80 drops per minute at the site of the plant. The tribal farmers of Khasi and Jaintia hills use the 200-year-old system.
Dating back 200 years, tribes in Meghalaya have used bamboo Drip Irrigation as a means of bringing water to Seasonal Crops. This traditional technology uses locally available material while harnessing the forces of gravity. Holed bamboo shoots are placed downhill, diverting the natural flow of streams and springs across terraced cropland. The advantages of using bamboo are such that it prevents leakage, increases crop yield with less water, and makes use of natural, local, and inexpensive material.
The Jaintia, Khasi, and Garo hills of Meghalaya are largely made up of steep slopes and generally rocky terrain where the Soil has low water retention capacity and where the use of groundwater channels is impossible. During the dry seasons, rain fed crops such as paddy, betel leaf, and black peppers can be irrigated by bamboo drip irrigation.
The bamboo drip irrigation system is normally used to irrigate the betel leaf or black pepper crops planted in arecanut orchards or in mixed orchards. Bamboo pipes are used to divert perennial springs on the hilltops to the lower reaches by gravity. The channel sections, made of bamboo, divert and convey water to the plot site where it is distributed without leakage into branches, again made and laid out with different forms of bamboo pipes. Manipulating the intake pipe positions also controls the flow of water into the lateral pipes. Reduced channel sections and diversion units are used at the last stage of water application. The last channel section enables the water to be dropped near the roots of the plan.
Bench terrace Irrigation practice
This is the common irrigation practice in Meghalaya as well as throughout the North East Himalayan region. The hill streams are tapped as soon as they emerge from the forests and the water is channeled to accommodate a series of terraces. In this system, water flows continuously from the upper to lower terraces. This method of irrigation practice is widely used for non-fertile land to be utilized for raising rice crops. Stone and gunny bags help in the maintenance of terraces and stop soil erosion problems. Submergence of water up to 5 – 8 cm is maintained continuously throughout the year. After harvesting, ear head of rice is plucked and the straw is left as such in the field, which then gets rotted and helps improving Soil fertility. Mostly all farm operation is done manually; bullock power is used for field preparations only in some pockets of Meghalaya. Bench terracing is an important conservation measure for valleys and hill slopes. This is used predominantly for rice cultivation. In bench terrace agriculture practice under rainfed condition, topo-sequence crops such as maize, bean and potato are planted on upper slopes and crop requiring more water such as rice and jute are grown on lower slopes. The excess runoff from upper portion of slope is nutrient rich, utilized for the lower hill crops.
Hydro power in Meghalaya
Meghalaya is rich in potential water power Resources, hydro power has played an important role in the state’s energy policy.
Small Hydro Power
In a move that aims to address the power requirements of the Megahlaya, as many as 50 mini and micro hydel power projects have been identified to be set up in different districts of the state.
The projects which have already been commissioned include Sonapani on Wahumkhra-Umshyrpi river, Pashyiang Micro HEP on Barim river and Umsaw Micro HEP on Umsaw river. The Lakhroh Micro HEP on Lakhroh river in Jaintia Hills district is under construction.
The Ministry of New and RENEWABLE ENERGY (MNRE) has also identified 37 mini and micro hydel projects in the state with a cumulative power generation capacity of around 8.5 MW. Out of the total 37 projects, elecven project sites are located in West Garo Hills, South Garo Hills and East Garo Hills districts; nine of them in West Khasi Hills district; eight in East Khasi Hills district; six in the Jaintia Hills district and three in Ri Bhoi district.
Some of the hydro power projects in Meghalaya are as follows:
Myntdu-Leshka Hydro Project
The Myntdu-Leshka Hydro Project Dam (3X42 MW)[2] built across the river, undertaken by MeECL, scheduled in three phases, is located at Leshka, West Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya near Amlarem, the sub-division headquarters. The project cost is estimated to be around INR 360 crores.
Umiam Hydro Power Complex
All the power stations are in the Umtru River which flows to the north into the mighty Brahmaputra. Running adjacent to this river are two other rivers viz. the Umiam and the Khri. Water from the Umiam basin is diverted into the adjacent Umtru basin thus enhancing the water flow of the Umtru River where all four power stations are constructed. In a similar manner, the water from the Khri River is also intended to be diverted to the existing reservoirs at the Umtru River to further enhance the power generation at the existing system.
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Irrigation and hydro power are two important sectors of the economy of Meghalaya. Irrigation is used to water crops, while hydro power is used to generate electricity. Both sectors are important for the state’s development.
Irrigation in Meghalaya is mainly used for rice cultivation. The state has a large number of small and medium-sized irrigation projects. The main irrigation schemes in Meghalaya are the Umiam Multipurpose Project, the Mylliem Weir Project, and the Nongpoh Irrigation Project. These projects provide irrigation water to over 100,000 hectares of land.
Hydro power is also an important sector of the economy of Meghalaya. The state has a number of small and medium-sized hydro power projects. The main hydro power projects in Meghalaya are the Umiam Hydel Project, the Kynrem Hydel Project, and the Nongpoh Hydel Project. These projects generate over 100 MW of electricity.
Irrigation and hydro power are both important for the development of Meghalaya. These sectors provide EMPLOYMENT to a large number of people and contribute to the state’s economy. The government of Meghalaya is committed to the development of these sectors and is working to improve the Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE and facilities for irrigation and hydro power.
Irrigation in Meghalaya is a major challenge due to the state’s hilly terrain. The state has a large number of small and medium-sized irrigation projects, but these projects are often not able to meet the demand for irrigation water. The government of Meghalaya is working to improve the irrigation infrastructure in the state and is also working to promote the use of drip irrigation and other water-saving technologies.
Hydro power is also a major challenge in Meghalaya. The state has a number of small and medium-sized hydro power projects, but these projects are often not able to meet the demand for electricity. The government of Meghalaya is working to improve the hydro power infrastructure in the state and is also working to promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
Despite the challenges, irrigation and hydro power are both important for the development of Meghalaya. These sectors provide employment to a large number of people and contribute to the state’s economy. The government of Meghalaya is committed to the development of these sectors and is working to improve the infrastructure and facilities for irrigation and hydro power.
What is irrigation?
Irrigation is the artificial application of water to land to assist in the growing of crops.
What is hydro power?
Hydro power is a form of energy that harnesses the power of moving water to generate electricity.
What are the benefits of irrigation?
Irrigation can increase crop yields, improve crop quality, and extend the growing season. It can also help to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality.
What are the challenges of irrigation?
Irrigation can be expensive to implement and maintain. It can also lead to water shortages, Water Pollution, and soil Salinization.
What are the benefits of hydro power?
Hydro power is a renewable energy source that does not produce greenhouse gases. It is also a reliable Source Of Energy that can be used to generate electricity 24 hours a day.
What are the challenges of hydro power?
Hydro power projects can have a significant impact on the Environment. They can also be expensive to build and maintain.
What are the different types of irrigation?
There are many different types of irrigation, including surface irrigation, Sprinkler Irrigation, and drip irrigation.
What are the different types of hydro power?
There are two main types of hydro power: run-of-river and pumped storage.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of irrigation?
The advantages and disadvantages of each type of irrigation vary depending on the specific circumstances. For example, surface irrigation is a relatively inexpensive method of irrigation, but it can be inefficient and lead to water loss. Sprinkler irrigation is more efficient than surface irrigation, but it can be more expensive to install and maintain. Drip irrigation is the most efficient type of irrigation, but it can also be the most expensive to install and maintain.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of hydro power?
The advantages and disadvantages of each type of hydro power also vary depending on the specific circumstances. For example, run-of-river hydro power is a relatively inexpensive and environmentally friendly method of generating electricity, but it is not always reliable. Pumped storage hydro power is a more reliable source of electricity, but it is also more expensive to build and maintain.
What are the environmental impacts of irrigation?
Irrigation can have a number of environmental impacts, including water pollution, soil erosion, and salinization.
What are the environmental impacts of hydro power?
Hydro power projects can have a number of environmental impacts, including flooding, habitat loss, and changes in water quality.
What are the social impacts of irrigation?
Irrigation can have a number of social impacts, including displacement of people, conflict over Water Resources, and changes in traditional lifestyles.
What are the social impacts of hydro power?
Hydro power projects can have a number of social impacts, including displacement of people, conflict over water resources, and changes in traditional lifestyles.
What are the economic impacts of irrigation?
Irrigation can have a number of economic impacts, including increased agricultural production, job creation, and increased tax revenue.
What are the economic impacts of hydro power?
Hydro power projects can have a number of economic impacts, including increased electricity generation, job creation, and increased tax revenue.
Which of the following is not a state in India?
(A) Meghalaya
(B) Assam
(C) Arunachal Pradesh
(D) ManipurMeghalaya is located in the ____ region of India.
(A) North-East
(B) South
(C) West
(D) EastThe capital of Meghalaya is ____.
(A) Shillong
(B) Guwahati
(C) Imphal
(D) KohimaThe Official Language of Meghalaya is ____.
(A) English
(B) Hindi
(C) Bengali
(D) KhasiThe Population-of-meghalaya/”>Population of Meghalaya is ____.
(A) 3 million
(B) 5 million
(C) 7 million
(D) 9 millionThe Literacy rate of Meghalaya is ____.
(A) 80%
(B) 90%
(C) 100%
(D) 120%The main religion of Meghalaya is ____.
(A) Christianity
(B) Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism
(C) Islam
(D) SikhismThe main crops grown in Meghalaya are ____.
(A) Rice, maize, and wheat
(B) Tea, coffee, and rubber
(C) Jute, sugarcane, and Cotton
(D) Oilseeds, pulses, and vegetablesThe main industries in Meghalaya are ____.
(A) Tea, tourism, and mining
(B) Jute, textiles, and engineering
(C) Cement, steel, and chemicals
(D) Automobiles, electronics, and SoftwareThe main exports of Meghalaya are ____.
(A) Tea, coffee, and rubber
(B) Jute, sugarcane, and cotton
(C) Oilseeds, pulses, and vegetables
(D) Automobiles, electronics, and softwareThe main imports of Meghalaya are ____.
(A) Petroleum products, machinery, and chemicals
(B) Foodgrains, Fertilizers, and edible oils
(C) Iron and steel, cement, and coal
(D) Automobiles, electronics, and softwareThe main tourist attractions in Meghalaya are ____.
(A) The Mawlynnong Living Root Bridges, the Nohkalikai Falls, and the Daintree Rainforest
(B) The Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, and the Qutub Minar
(C) The Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army
(D) The Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the Leaning Tower of PisaThe main festivals celebrated in Meghalaya are ____.
(A) The Sohrai Festival, the Wangala Festival, and the Nongkrem Festival
(B) The Durga puja, the Diwali, and the Holi
(C) The Christmas, the New Year, and the Easter
(D) The Eid-ul-Fitr, the Eid-ul-Adha, and the MuharramThe main Sports played in Meghalaya are ____.
(A) Football, cricket, and hockey
(B) Badminton, tennis, and table tennis
(C) Volleyball, basketball, and handball
(D) Athletics, swimming, and gymnasticsThe main celebrities from Meghalaya are ____.
(A) M.S. Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Sachin Tendulkar
(B) Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, and Alia Bhatt
(C) Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Salman Khan
(D) Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Rajkummar RaoThe main languages spoken in Meghalaya are ____.
(A) English, Hindi, and Bengali
(B) Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia
(C) Assamese, Manipuri, and Naga
(D) Telugu, Kannada, and MalayalamThe main rivers in Meghalaya are ____.
(A) The Brahmaputra, the Ganges, and the Yamuna
(B) The Indus, the Sutlej, and the Chenab
(C) The Godavari, the Krishna, and the Kaveri
(D) The Narmada, the Tapti, and the MahanadiThe main Mountains in Meghalaya are ____.
(A) The Himalayas, the Karakoram, and the Hindu Kush
(B) The Alps, the Pyrenees, and the Alps
(C) The Andes