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MASTER PLAN
FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MINOR IRRIGATION IN TRIBAL SUB-PLAN AREAS OF ANDHRA PRADESH
TRIBAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH HYDERABAD, MARCH 1990
PREFACE
The tribals especially those living in agency area are living under perpetual poverty. Their age, old primitive methods of cultivation without adequate facilities for irrigation coupled with practice of Podu Cultivation on the hill slope do not produce adequate food for their sustenance.
One of the major reasons for the low productivity of the land held by the tribals is lack of irrigation facility. This in turn is one of the causes for alienation of tribal lands. The land held by tribals is decreasing at a rapid rate. At present only about 40% of the lands in agency tracts are in possession of tribals. The productivity of the lands is to be improved to provide the basic need of food and to compensate for the shrinkage in their resource base. Once the basic food problem is solved for the tribals/ more than half of the battle is won, further alround development would take place almost automatically.
The growing demand for increased irrigation facilities by the tribals bears ample testimony to its popularity and its utility as well. Long before expert opinion started veering round the view that irrigation facility is a must for increasing the productivity of land in tribal areas, the tribal himself had on his own recognised its importance as evidenced by the many indigenously evolved irrigation methods, adopted by the tribals. What is needed today is to provide the tribals with modern irrigation systems.
The need for creation of Minor Irrigation sources in tribal areas cannot be overemphasized. Of all the development inputs, the various development schemes seek to provide, irrigation enjoys greater advantage because the tribal people identified themselves with it more readily. Minor Irrigation programme is significantly more advantageous because of several reasons. Minor Irrigation sources are best suited for irrigating small land holding of tribal in compact areas through which small streams meander.
The 8 IT DA Sub Plan areas lying in the up lands whore there- is no feasibility for major irrigation and with medium projects benefiting only limited number of tribals it makes minor irrigation the most economically viable proposition. By adopting modern technique of irrigation with judicious wafer management, perhaps, the tribals can successfully venture into fields like pisciculture, floriculture and olericulture (growing vegetable) and pomiculture. Dairying is another area with assured irrigation which will indirectly receive a boost. Dependence of tribals on forest and forest produce for their livelihood can also be minimized and the tribals can be provided with assured gainful employment through out the year.
Major and Medium irrigation projects are costly in terms of financial investment, displacement of tribals and disturbance to ecology when compared to Minor Irrigation. Having felt the necessity of providing minor irrigation sources to the tribal families, report on the Working Groups on Development and Welfare of Scheduled Tribes during VIII Five Year Plan (1990-95) recommends allocation of funds minimum 15% of the total resources allocated for agriculture and allied sectors for minor irrigation.
Acceleration of tribal development through modern agricultural practices will become a reality automatically when once this crucial input is provided systematically on a larger scale than what is being done at present.
Considering all these factors and keeping in view the fact that past efforts in this direction were rather adhoc and lacked perspective planning the task of preparing a Master Plan for Development of Minor Irrigation in the Tribal Sub Plan area has been undertaken. The overall outlay envisaged in the Master Plan is Rs. 417.31 crores, the scheme is to be implemented within a period of 10 to 15 years, bringing irrigation potential to the lands belonging to the tribals to the extent of 2,85,070 Hectares. This scheme will increase agriculture productivity to the tribals living in Sub Plan areas contributing to the national- agricultural productivity ultimately.
The Hon'ble Chief Minister has already given it a flying start as allocation to Minor Irrigation this year i.e. 1990-91 is 240% more than that of the previous year, which is possible because of the enhanced allocation for accelerated development of tribal areas.
I acknowledge the contribution and cooperation extended by Chief Engineer/ Minor Irrigation Department and his staff, the Project Officers of Integrated Tribal Development Agencies and their field staff. They deserve compliments for the concerted efforts put in by them. But for their enthusiastic support, it would hardly have been possible to produce this comprehensive irrigation document.
I earnestly trust and hope that the comprehensive perspective plan will be received well by all concerned and it will give tangible, lasting benefits to the poor tribals living in Sub Plan area of Andhra Pradesh.
30.4.1990, V. CHANGSAN, I.A.S.,
Hyderabad. Commissioner of Tribal Welfare &
Ex-Officio Secretary to Govt.,
Government of Andhra Pradesh
HYDERABAD
F O R E W O R D
Andhra Pradesh is called River State of India because it is blessed with 3 major rivers namely Godavari/ Krishna and Pennar and 37 other medium and minor river systems. Its economy largely sustains on agriculture/ therefore the prosperity of the people lies in optimal utilisation of river waters.
Similarly the potential for creation of Minor Irrigation sources in tribal areas is enormous. The sub plan areas have plenty of small streams flowing in the great basins of Godavari and Krishna. There is vast scope of tapping ground water potential and utilising surface How by constructing checkdams/ Small kunta (tanks) and installing lift irrigation facilities in the area/ the tribals standard of living will appreciably improve if this is done. It will further benefit the tribals if they are engaged by organising Labour Contract Societies of Tribals to execute the works.
Keeping in view the importantance being given for the development of Minor Irrigation and to accelerate tribal development through modern agricultural practices/ a Master Plan for development of Minor irrigation of 8 I.T.D.A. areas has been prepared in consultation with Project Officers/ I.T.D.A. and Executive Engineers (Special Minor Irrigation Divisions).
It is estimated that under the Master Plan about 61/400 schemes would be taken up to create irrigation potential of about 2/85/070 hectares. This programme is proposed to be taken up in a phased manner during the next two to three Five Year Plans commencing from 1990-91 depending upon availability of funds for the programme.
The Master Plan is prepared in accordance with the technical guidelines issued by Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources/ Government of India, in so far as they relate to Minor Irrigation.
I hope that this Master Plan will accelerate economic development of the tribals inhabiting the Scheduled Areas of Andhra Pradesh.
P. PATTABHIRAM, B.E.,
Chief Engineer,
Minor Irrigation,
Government of Andhra Pradesh,
HYDERABAD.
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