Theme 2-18-Planning conjunctive use for controlling water table in a canal command area.

Abstract

The major problem associated with canal irrigation projects are waterlogging, soil salinity and alkalinity. These ultimately leave bad impact on health and wealth through various means. The injudicious use of canal water causes the rise in water table which lead towards the above mentioned problems. In view of the above facts, one of the multipurpose irrigation projects has been selected for the purpose of study at river Narmada at Bargi in the state of M.P. (India). The study aimed to suggest preventive measures rather than remedial measures to control rising trend of water table in canal command area. The problem was tackled in two stages. The linear programming technique was adopted to allocate the existing resources of the study area in the first stage. The appropriate quantity of ground water that can be pumped out safely was worked out month wise in second stage after considering each component of water balance to control the rise in water table. The study reveals that the allocated crop plan utilizes maximum of the available resources and will increase the benefit- cost ratio from 1.49 to 1.99. It has been observed that the current supply of canal does not fulfill the water requirement of the allocated crop plan particularly in peak periods, which can be cover through the use of ground water in conjunction with canal water. The implementation of suggested measures would definitely keep the water table below the safe limits for rabi season.