Igophey Canal, Leh Ladakh ( Joint Vernture of Irrigation Division Igophey and CAD Leh) (1979 – 2011)
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Government of Jammu & Kashmir Evaluation Report On Igophey Canal, Leh Ladakh ( Joint Vernture of Irrigation Division Igophey and CAD Leh) (1979 – 2011) Irrigated Land in sample farms before and after Irrigated Land in sample villages before and after the commissioing of Igophey Canal Project the commissioing of Igophey Canal Project Before commissioning of project Before commissioning of project After commissioning of project After commissioning of project 576.00 600.00 423.00 6000.00 5061.12 400.00 4000.00 3178.12 171.00 161.00 141.00 80.00 128.00 123.00 2090.00 200.00 116.00 1648.12 1648.12 79.00 1530.00 2000.00 1073.00 250.00 0.00 0.00 - Area inHectarres Area inHectarres 0.00 SKUAST Matho Fodder Equine Total Dev. farm sample Farm Farms Stakna Sample Villages Sample Farms Directorate of Economics and Statistics, J&K Planning and Development Department Contents S.no Description of the Chapter Page Nos I Introduction 1-4 II Scheme & Its Progress 5-13 III Field Findings 14-35 IV Summary of Main Findings 36-39 Difficulties/Bottlenecks faced 40 Suggestions 41_____ Highlights of Evaluation Study on Igophey Canal, Leh. 1. The Igophey Irrigation project situated in Leh District of J & K state was started in the year 1979. The objective of the scheme was to facilitate irrigation in the Command Area of the Canal and bring more un-irrigated land under irrigation for raising the productivity and production of the area. The ultimate aim was to decrease excessive dependence of the area on import of foodgrains from other parts of the country. 2. In the year 1992-93, the command area of the Canal was brought within the ambit of Command Area Development Scheme. The objective of the scheme was to reduce the gap between irrigation potential created and irrigation potential utilized with efficient management of irrigation water so as to raise the production and productivity level. Another objective of the scheme was to increase the agricultural production in irrigated areas through efficient management of the soil, water and crops together with the application of various recommended inputs. It is the biggest Irrigation scheme in Leh District as well as the biggest Command Area Development Project in Ladakh Division. The main canal stands constructed by the Igophey Irrigation Division, Leh and was completed after 25 years in 2005. 3. The Igophey canal was taken up for execution in 1979-80 by Igophey Irrigation Division Leh with an original approved cost of Rs 5.95 crores which was later on revised to Rs 49.03 crores (4th revised cost) in December, 2004. The cumulative expenditure ending March, 2011 works out to Rs 55.25 crores as conveyed by the concerned Department. 4. The total command area of the canal is 4873 hectares against which potential to the extent of 4300 hectares only has been created. However, out of the total created potential of 4300 Hectts only 900 Hectts have been utilized which constitutes only 21% of the potential created. 5. In 1986, the Igophey canal was converted into a composite project by way of generation of 3.4 MW of power at village Martselang in addition to provisions of assured irrigation. The power house is presently operational at village Igo being managed by Power Development Corporation. It is outside the ambit of instant evaluation study. 6. Besides, Igophey Irrigation Division, Leh, the command Area Development Department, Leh has also been engaged with construction of field channels and other allied works around the canal w.e.f 1992-93. Accordingly, against the allocation of Rs 608.35 lakhs, an amount of Rs.574.44 lakhs only was utilized by CAD upto 03/2011 representing an expenditure of 94.42%. Moreover 2403 hectares of land have been treated against the approved target of 4873 hectares through CAD Leh by way of construction of Field Channels etc. representing 49% progress on this component. Moreover, 41% physical progress has been achieved in respect of another activity viz. construction of Drains/paths in the Command Area of the canal. 7. Sample distributaries viz. D1 & D2 are located in Changa village, D15 & D16 located in Chushot Shamma and D29 & D30 located in Spituk Farka. The total length of these distributaries was recorded 1235 mts. Besides, 104 outlets were found completed on these sample distributaries. However, the field enquiry revealed that almost all the distributaries got damaged during last 25 years and need immediate repairs/renovations. Moreover, the following 4 Sample Farms were also put to field investigations:- I) SKUAST Farm at Stakna. II) Fodder Development Farm at Stakna. III) Sheep Farm at village Matho. IV) Equine Farm at village Chushot. 8. The field enquiry revealed that distributaries D1 & D2 are providing adequate irrigation facilities to Changa and Martselang Villages. However, D15 was not found useful for village Chushot Shammm as it was found in dilapidated condition and not even repaired for last so many years. D16 was found non-operational as no field channels were constructed on this distributory. D29 & D30 were also found non functional. 9. Out of total cultivable command area of 4873 hectares, 873 hectares only representing 18% have been distributed among the sample villages/sample Farms by Revenue Department Leh. The remaining land could not be distributed reportedly due to dispute among the villagers of the area. 10. During the field investigation it was observed that 109 field channels constructed at six sample Distributaries have been built with dry masonry work without leveling of land resulting in continuous wastage of irrigation water upto Distributory No. 13. 11. The annual income of sample farmers amounting to Rs.6.31 lakhs in 2004 was raised to Rs.7.73 lakhs in 2011 after commissioning of the scheme indicating 23% increase in the income level during a span of seven years. The annual increase was found out to be around 3%. 12. All the 20 sample beneficiaries contacted during the field operations were of the view that though production and income levels were increased to some extent but they consistently complained about the problem of leakage /seepage of water, low discharge of water and ill planning in the execution of the works. However, all the four sample farms were maintained and giving visible results due to the execution of the project. 13. Out of 40 knowledgeable persons 30 viz.75% of non benefitted villages were not in favour of the scheme. They reported that due to the implementation of this programme/project their woes had increased owing to the fact that during sowing Agriculture season (April – May) the water level of Indus River recedes due to lifting of water for Igophey Canal. 14. During the on-spot physical verifications, it was found that most of the structures such as gates/distributary channels, lining of canal at weak spots, Downside protection bund of supper passages etc. had got damaged during last 25 years and need to be repaired/restored immediately. 15. The field enquiry revealed that the scheme was not implemented in letter and spirit due to lack of co-ordination between line Departments viz. Irrigation Division Igophey Leh, CAD Department Leh and Revenue Department, Leh. The Irrigation Department has not commissioned all the Distributories, the Command Area has taken up its works programme on such lands which were having no irrigation and Revenue Department has not been able to distribute the land as was envisaged/planned under the project. All the three departments are required to work in close coordination for successful achievement of the objectives in respect of all the villages brought under the Project. Chapter - I Introduction: The Jammu & Kashmir state is predominantly an agricultural economy. Nearly 75% of total population resides in rural areas and are directly or indirectly linked with this sector for their livelihood. For the development of agriculture land, various schemes/programmes have been implemented through various Departments. Accordingly, the Igophey Irrigation project was started in the year 1979 in District Leh of J&K State. The objective of the scheme was to facilitate irrigation in the Command area of the Canal and bring more un-irrigated land under irrigation for raising the productivity and production of the area. The ultimate aim was to decrease the excessive dependence of the area on import of food grains which was expected to lead to the economic and social well being of the people. In the year 1992-93, the command area of the Canal was brought within the ambit of Command Area Development Scheme. The objective of the scheme was to reduce the gap between irrigation potential created and irrigation potential utilized with efficient management of irrigation water so as to raise the production and productivity levels. Another objective of the scheme was to increase agricultural production in irrigated areas by the efficient management of the soil, water and crops together with the application of various recommended inputs. Under this scheme, the sloppy land is made fit for cultivation by different processes, i. e. land leveling, bench terracing, construction of field channels, construction of field drains and anti-soil erosion works. The total length of the Igophey canal is 43.12 kilometers comprising of 30 distributaries taken up from village “Igo” upto the tail end at “Phey”. The total command area of the canal is 4873 hectares and the potential has been created for 4300 hectares. In November, 1986, the State Government decided to make the “Igophey Irrigation Project” as composite project for generation of 3.4 MW of power in addition to provision of assured irrigation facilities to 4873 hectares of land. The original project cost of the scheme was at Rs.5.95 crores approved by Planning Commission in the year 1979.