Irrigation and Hydropower of Himachal Pradesh
Irrigation is the application of controlled amounts of water to Plants at needed intervals. It helps grow agricultural crops, maintain landscapes, and revegetate disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall.
Types of irrigation
- Surface irrigation- Itis the oldest form of irrigation and has been in use for thousands of years. In surface(furrow, flood, or level basin) irrigation systems, water moves across the surface of an agricultural lands, in an order to wet it and infiltrate into the Soil.
- Micro-irrigation – Also called localized irrigation, low volume irrigation, or trickle irrigationis a system where water is distributed under low pressure through a piped Network, in a pre-determined pattern, and applied as a small discharge to each plant. Ex-Drip Irrigation, Sprinkler Irrigation.
India’s irrigation covered crop area was about 22.6 million hectares in 1951, and it increased to a potential of 90 mha at the end of 1995, inclusive of canals and groundwater wells. However, the potential irrigation relies of reliable supply of electricity for water pumps and maintenance, and the net irrigated land has been considerably short. According to 2001/2002 agriculture census, only 58.1 million hectares of land was actually irrigated in India. The total arable land in India is 160 million hectares (395 million acres). According to the World Bank, only about 35% of total agricultural land in India was reliably irrigated in 2010.
Irrigation status of 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 areas where the rainfall is 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 hectare is the Net Sown Area. It is estimated that ultimate irrigation potential of the state is approximately 3.35 lakh hectare, out of which, 0.50 lakh hectare can be brought out under irrigation through major and medium irrigation projects and balance 2.85 lakh hectare of area can be provided irrigation through minor irrigation schemes. Till date 2.68 lakh hectare land has been brought out under the irrigation facility upto 2016.
Command Area Development (CAD)
The Command Area Development work is in progress and out of 15,287 hectare, 8,068 hectare area has been brought under Command Area Development activities.
During the year 2016-17, there is a physical target of 2,500 hectare area for CAD activities. Out of which 1,892.00 hectare area has been achieved up to December, 2016. Major Irrigation Project Shahnehar and MIP Sidhatha were included for funding under Command Area Development Water Management programme of Government of India and other project MIP Nadaun, Balh Vally (LB), Phinna Singh and 23 MIS are in pipe line for inclusion under the programme.
Major Irrigation Projects of State
- Shah nehar IP- it is biggest IP of HP., mainly located in Kangra and irrigates 15227 hectare of land in the state.
- Babhor Sahib IP- it will receive water from Nangal dam, and irrigate 3561 hectare of land.
- Baldwara IP- primarily comes under Mandi district. It will irrigate 3400 hectare of land.
- Balh valley IP- it irrigates 2400 hectare of land in Balh valley.
- Changar IP- located in Bilaspur district and will irrigate 2350 hectare of land.
Hydro Power of State
India is the 7th largest producer of hydroelectric power in the world. As of 30 April 2017, India’s installed hydroelectric capacity was 44,594 MW, or 13.5% of its total power generation capacity. Additional smaller hydroelectric power units with a total capacity of 4,380 MW (1.3% of its total utility power generation capacity) have been installed.
Hydro power development is the key engine to the economic growth of the State of Himachal Pradesh, as it makes a direct and significant contribution to economy in terms of revenue generation, EMPLOYMENT opportunities and enhancing the Quality Of Life. Himachal Pradesh is extremely rich in its hydroelectricity Resources. The state is having about twenty five percent of the national potential in this aspect.
The State of Himachal Pradesh has an estimated Hydro power Potential of 27,436 MW out of which 24,000 MW has been assessed as harnessable while the Govt. of HP has decided to forgo balance potential in to safeguard the Environment and to maintain ECOLOGY and protect various social concerns.
Out of the total harnessable potential of about 24,000 MW, a potential to the tune of 21,500 MW already stands allotted under various sectors. The State has been accelerating the pace of Hydropower development through the active involvement of both the public and private sectors. A potential of about 10,351 MW has already been harnessed so far under various sectors.
Power harnessed under various sectors
SECTOR Capacity (MW) HPSEBL 487.55
HPPCL 65.00
CENTRAL/JOINT 7,457.73
HIMURJA (STATE) 2.37
HIMURJA (PRIVATE) 272.75
PRIVATE above 5 MW 1,906.40
HP SHARE 159.17
Total 10,350.97
Major Hydro power projects of the state
Girinagar Hydel Project[
Situated on the river Giri ,Sirmaur district, Girinagar Hydel project has an installed capacity of 60MW, with 2 units of 30MW each. This project, which is run-off-the river scheme come
s under HPSEB and is operational for 29 years.
Binwa Hydel Project
The project with an installed capacity of 16MW comprising 3 units each, is located near Baijnath in District Kangra..
Sanjay Vidyut Pariyojna
Located in the Kinnaur district, on the river Bhaba is a completely underground project with an installed capacity of 120MW, comprising 3 units each of 40MW. The uniqueness of this project lies in its underground switchyard, a feature that no other hydel project in Asia has.
Bassi Hydroelectric Project
Bassi project(66MW) is an extension of Beas Power House in Mandi District constituting 4 units of 16.5MW each.
Larji Hydroelectric Project
Larji hydroelectric project is on river Beas in Kullu district with an installed capacity of 126 MW. The project was completed in September 2007.
Nathpa Jhakri Project
One of the major project on the satluj river is the Nathpa Jhakri Dam which generates nearly 1500MW of electricity. The project is funded by World Bank.
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Irrigation and hydropower are two of the most important sectors of the economy in Himachal Pradesh. Irrigation is essential for agriculture, which is the main source of livelihood for the majority of the Population. Hydropower is a major source of electricity for the state and the country.
Irrigation in Himachal Pradesh
Irrigation in Himachal Pradesh is mainly through canals and tube wells. The state has a network of over 10,000 kilometers of canals, which irrigate over 1 million hectares of land. The canals are fed by rivers and streams, and are managed by the Irrigation and Public Health Department of the State Government.
Tube wells are also an important source of irrigation in Himachal Pradesh. There are over 100,000 tube wells in the state, which irrigate over 500,000 hectares of land. The tube wells are powered by electricity, and are owned and operated by farmers.
Irrigation is essential for Agriculture in Himachal Pradesh. The state receives relatively low rainfall, and irrigation is necessary to ensure that crops have enough water to grow. Irrigation also helps to improve crop yields and reduce the risk of crop failure.
Hydropower in Himachal Pradesh
Hydropower is a major source of electricity in Himachal Pradesh. The state has a installed hydropower capacity of over 10,000 MW, which is about 10% of the total installed hydropower capacity in India. The hydropower projects in Himachal Pradesh are located in the high Mountains, and are mostly run-of-the-river projects.
The hydropower projects in Himachal Pradesh are owned and operated by the state government and private companies. The state government has a policy of promoting hydropower development, and has set a target of installing an additional 5,000 MW of hydropower capacity in the next few years.
Hydropower is a clean and renewable Source Of Energy, and is an important part of the energy mix in Himachal Pradesh. The hydropower projects in the state provide employment to thousands of people, and also generate revenue for the state government.
Irrigation and hydropower policies in Himachal Pradesh
The government of Himachal Pradesh has a number of policies and programs to promote irrigation and hydropower development in the state. The Irrigation Policy of Himachal Pradesh, 2012, aims to increase the irrigated area in the state to 1.5 million hectares by 2022. The policy also aims to improve the efficiency of irrigation water use, and to reduce the cost of irrigation.
The Hydropower Policy of Himachal Pradesh, 2012, aims to promote the development of hydropower projects in the state. The policy provides a number of incentives to developers of hydropower projects, including financial assistance, land acquisition, and environmental clearances.
The irrigation and hydropower policies of the government of Himachal Pradesh are aimed at promoting Economic Development and social welfare in the state. The policies are expected to increase agricultural production, generate employment, and improve the quality of life of the people of Himachal Pradesh.
Irrigation and hydropower impacts in Himachal Pradesh
Irrigation and hydropower have a number of impacts on the environment and Society in Himachal Pradesh. The construction of Dams and canals can lead to the displacement of people, the loss of Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity, and the degradation of water quality. The operation of hydropower projects can also lead to the emission of greenhouse gases and the disruption of fish Migration.
Despite the negative impacts, irrigation and hydropower also have a number of positive impacts on the environment and society in Himachal Pradesh. Irrigation can help to increase agricultural production and reduce the risk of crop failure. Hydropower can provide a clean and renewable source of energy, and can also generate revenue for the state government.
The government of Himachal Pradesh is taking a number of measures to mitigate the negative impacts of irrigation and hydropower. The state government has a policy of environmental impact assessment for all major irrigation and hydropower projects. The state government is also working to improve the efficiency of irrigation water use, and to reduce the cost of irrigation.
Irrigation and hydropower future in Himachal Pradesh
The future of irrigation and hydropower in Himachal Pradesh is uncertain. The state government is facing a number of challenges in the development of irrigation and hydropower projects. The challenges include the availability of water, the cost of construction, and the environmental impacts.
Despite the challenges, the government of Himachal Pradesh is committed to the development of irrigation and hydropower. The state government believes that irrigation and hydropower are essential for the economic development and social welfare of the people of Himachal Pradesh.
What is irrigation?
Irrigation is the artificial application of water to land to assist in the growing of crops.
What is hydropower?
Hydropower is the conversion of the energy of moving water into 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 prevent soil erosion and improve water quality.
What are the drawbacks of irrigation?
Irrigation can be expensive, and it can also lead to Water Pollution and Salinization of soil.
What are the benefits of hydropower?
Hydropower is a RENEWABLE ENERGY source that does not produce greenhouse gases. It is also a reliable source of energy, as the water supply is relatively constant.
What are the drawbacks of hydropower?
Hydropower projects can have a negative impact on the environment, as they can disrupt the flow of rivers and damage fish habitats. They can also be expensive to build and operate.
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 hydropower?
There are two main types of hydropower: run-of-river hydropower and pumped-storage hydropower.
What are the challenges of irrigation and hydropower in Himachal Pradesh?
The main challenges of irrigation and hydropower in Himachal Pradesh are water scarcity, Climate change, and Environmental Degradation.
What are the solutions to the challenges of irrigation and hydropower in Himachal Pradesh?
The solutions to the challenges of irrigation and hydropower in Himachal Pradesh include water conservation, Climate Change adaptation, and environmental protection.
What is the future of irrigation and hydropower in Himachal Pradesh?
The future of irrigation and hydropower in Himachal Pradesh is uncertain. The state is facing a number of challenges, including water scarcity, climate change, and environmental degradation. However, there are also a number of opportunities for the development of sustainable irrigation and hydropower projects.
Question 1
Which of the following is not a major river in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) Sutlej
(B) Beas
(C) Ravi
(D) Chenab
Answer
(D) Chenab is a major river in Jammu and Kashmir. The other three rivers are major rivers in Himachal Pradesh.
Question 2
Which of the following is not a major dam in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) Bhakra Dam
(B) Pong Dam
(C) Nathpa Jhakri Dam
(D) Salal Dam
Answer
(D) Salal Dam is a major dam in Jammu and Kashmir. The other three dams are major dams in Himachal Pradesh.
Question 3
Which of the following is not a major hydroelectric power plant in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) Nathpa Jhakri Hydroelectric Power Plant
(B) Bhakra Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant
(C) Pong Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant
(D) Salal Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant
Answer
(D) Salal Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant is a major hydroelectric power plant in Jammu and Kashmir. The other three hydroelectric power plants are major hydroelectric power plants in Himachal Pradesh.
Question 4
Which of the following is not a major tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) Shimla
(B) Manali
(C) Dalhousie
(D) Srinagar
Answer
(D) Srinagar is a major tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. The other three tourist destinations are major tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh.
Question 5
Which of the following is not a major language spoken in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) Hindi
(B) Punjabi
(C) English
(D) Kashmiri
Answer
(D) Kashmiri is a major language spoken in Jammu and Kashmir. The other three languages are major languages spoken in Himachal Pradesh.