Irrigation is the main component of agricultural production. Agriculture being the biggest sector of the Indian economy providing livelihood to nearly 70% of the population, irrigation becomes paramount. This treatise examines the development of irrigation in India. Various aspects of
Irrigation is the main component of agricultural production. Agriculture being the biggest sector of the Indian economy providing livelihood to nearly 70% of the population, irrigation becomes paramount. This treatise examines the development of irrigation in India. Various aspects of irrigation from identification of the projects to implementation and management are discussed. Water being the scarce commodity, water management under projects has been dealt with in detail. Case studies of major and medium irrigation projects in Karnataka are presented as illustrative examples. After an analysis of the 'New Irrigation Policy in India', suggestions for better irrigation pro-jectisation and development are given. When the country is almost on the threshold of the Nineth Five Year Plan, it is hoped that this work will be useful.
The author strongly feels that the rivers should become die central subject on the analogy of railways and national highways, and the major projects—planning, implementation and maintenance should be taken over by the Union Government which would put an end to all the inter-state river water disputes; after all, rivers are the national assets. In this work, the investments on irrigation 