Tamil Nadu's Irrigation Challenges

Syllabus: Prelims Unit II - Geography of India

Historical Context and Current Status

• Tamil Nadu's gross irrigated area from 1960-2022:
• Peak irrigation coverage: 3.54 lakh hectares.
• Current decline: 3.21 lakh hectares.
• Limited growth in the irrigated area despite five-year plans.
• State heavily relies on tanks and canals for irrigation.

Source-wise Irrigation Trends (1960-61 to 2021-22)

• Canal Irrigation:
• Declining trend from 5.82 lakh hectares to 4.10 lakh hectares.
• Limited expansion opportunities compared to other states.
• Northern districts primarily dependent on canals for irrigation.
• Tank Irrigation:
• Significant reduction in tank-irrigated area.
• Poor maintenance of existing tanks.
• Lack of periodic desilting affects storage capacity.
• Groundwater Usage:
• Increased from 15.38% to 26.61%.
• Over-exploitation leading to depletion.
• Central Groundwater Board reports a critical situation.

Major Challenges

• Infrastructure Issues:
• 41,127 tanks' capacity underutilized.
• Inadequate maintenance of existing structures.
• Need for modernization of irrigation systems.
• Water Resource Management:
• Declining water table in command areas.
• Limited recharge of groundwater.
• Poor water use efficiency in major irrigation schemes.
• Policy and Implementation:
• Need for comprehensive sedimentation management.
• Lack of adoption of water-saving methods.
• Insufficient focus on tank renovation.