| TANK IRRIGATION |
Before the mega irrigation projects, such as the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam,
the Krishna-Godavari barrages, and the Sriramsagar project- arrived, tanks
were a major water source for irrigation. Many tanks in our state, except for
those near the twin cities, were developed during the Kakatiya and Vijayanagara
rules. Particularly, the Kakatiya rulers gifted the Nizam Telangana region with
an extensive network of tanks for irrigation purposes. There are at least 38 tanks
of significance documented in the inscriptions from the Kakatiya period.75 By
visiting Warangal and the surrounding areas, one can see the amazing tanks,
such as the Ramappa and Pakala, built by the Kakatiyas nearly 800 years ago
which continue to serve the public to this day.
So, what is the situation of tanks in the state today? It is abysmal! |
TANK IRRIGATION IN HECTARES (Table 7)
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Looking at Table7, one thing becomes clear—the Telangana region
suffered immensely because of the neglect of tank maintenance. However,
one cannot lose sight of the fact that the Rayalaseema region suffered an even
steeper decline of 66%, compared to Telangana’s 40% decline.
Tank irrigation is an excellent mode of irrigation. It is a low technology,
low investment, low maintenance, environmentally friendly method of
irrigation, and our people have effectively used it for many centuries. Failure
of tanks is simply a failure on the government’s part. In the past, the local
communities effectively administered tanks. Once the government intervened,
the system failed miserably.
If Telangana’s separatist leaders are sincere about helping farmers, they
should focus their efforts on developing tank irrigation in the region. Even
if tank irrigation is restored to 1956 levels, we are looking at being able to
provide water to nearly two lakh hectares of additional land. |
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