Needs of Effective Water Conservation

Abstract

The earth’s supply of fresh water is fixed. Its distribution is skewed spatially and temporarily. The maximum usage of water withdrawals is by agricultural sector for irrigation. It is socially, economically and culturally entwined with the lives of people. In the course of irrigation development many irrigation projects have been evolved across India. There are various irrigation techniques followed in different parts of India. The continued growth of population, industrialization, urbanization, climate change, emission of greenhouse gases and deforestation build up pressure on available water resources and arable land for food production. It is further worsened with crop production loss, deterioration of water sheds, disappearance of wetlands and reoccurrence of erratic monsoon. The fall of ground water table, deterioration of quality water, salinization, soil degradation, water logging and irrational use of water emphasized the need for conservation of irrigation water sources. While we have adopted many conservation measures like artificial recharge scheme, percolation ponds, check dams, irrigated agriculture modernization and rehabilitation works on the one side, the problem of irrigation water scarcity and shortage in the availability of quality water still persists. Hence, an attempt has been made to study the need s and effective management on conservation of irrigation water resources.