Irrigation and Canals

Total Questions: 39

21. With reference to micro-irrigation, which of the following statements is/are correct? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2011]

1. Fertilizer/nutrient loss can be reduced.

2. It is the only means of irrigation in dry land farming.

3. In some areas of farming, receding of groundwater level can be checked.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3

Solution:Fertilizers/nutrients loss can be reduced by micro-irrigation. In some areas of farming, receding of ground water level can be checked by micro irrigation due to limited and beneficiary use of water. Thus, statement 1& 3 are correct while statement 2 is not correct.

22. Life saving or Protective irrigation refers to: [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A.(Mains) 2010]

(a) Constant flow of water
(b) Irrigation at critical growth stage
(c) P.W.P Irrigation
(d) Alternate wetting drying

Correct Answer: (c) P.W.P Irrigation

Solution:Life-saving or Protective irrigation refers to irrigation at P.W.P (Permanent Wilting Point). Permanent wilting point is the extent at which the moisture is no longer available in sufficient quantity for plants to sustain. The irrigation becomes compulsory in this situation.

23. During last 25 years, the development of tubewell irrigation has been most spectacular in: [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 1995]

(a) Ganga-Ghaghra Doab
(b) Gnaga-Yamuna Doab
(c) Saryupar Plain
(d) Bundelkhand

Correct Answer: (c) Saryupar Plain

Solution:The development of Tubewell irrigation has been most spectacular in Saryupar plain, due to lack of canals. Hence irrigation in this area is done by tubewells. Thus, the correct answer is option (c).

24. In which state of India, the maximum area is irrigated by tubewells? [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2006]

(a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) Bihar
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Uttar Pradesh

Correct Answer: (d) Uttar Pradesh

Solution:In the above given States, the most irrigated area by tubewell is in Uttar Pradesh, i.e., 74.9%. Tubewells played a major role in the success of the Green Revolution in India, and Uttar Pradesh has a significant share in this. While tubewells are crucial for irrigation in UP, over-reliance can lead to groundwater depletion, which is a growing concern.

25. In which of the following States, the area under tubewell irrigation is the largest? [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2016]

(a) Bihar
(b) Haryana
(c) Uttar Pradesh
(d) Punjab

Correct Answer: (c) Uttar Pradesh

Solution:The net area under irrigation and area irrigated by tubewells for the above states for the year 2018-19 (in thousand Hectare) is as follows-

State	Net Irrigation Area (2018-19)	Net Area under Tube-well irrigation (2018-19)
Uttar Pradesh	14392	10743
Punjab	4111	2944
Bihar	3115	1957
Haryana	3273	2066

26. The state having the largest area under tubewell and well irrigation in India is [U.P.P.C.S.(MAINS) 2017]

(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Andhra Pradesh
(d) Punjab

Correct Answer: (a) Uttar Pradesh

Solution:The state having the largest area under tubewell and well irrigation in India in Uttar Pradesh. Tubewells played a major role in the success of the Green Revolution in India, and Uttar Pradesh has a significant share in this. While tubewells are crucial for irrigation in UP, over-reliance can lead to groundwater depletion, which is a growing concern.

27. Which one of the following is the correct sequence of the States (labelled 1, 2, 3 and 4) of India shown on the map in descending order in terms of their available groundwater resources for irrigation? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1998]

(a) 3, 4, 1, 2
(b) 3, 4, 2, 1
(c) 4, 3, 1, 2
(d) 3, 4, 2, 1

Correct Answer: (d) 3, 4, 2, 1

Solution:Annual ground water resources available for irrigation to the states in given options is as follow-

List-I	List-II
Uttar Pradesh (4)	40.72 Billion Qubic meter
Maharashtra (3)	15.29 Billion Qubic meter
West Bengal	8.38 Billion Qubic meter
Assam(1)	2.06 Billion Qubic meter

Thus, the descending order would be-Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Assam.

28. The Garland Canal System in India was proposed by: [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 1999]

(a) K.L. Rao
(b) Dineshaw J. Dastur
(c) Visvesaraya
(d) Y.K. Alagh

Correct Answer: (b) Dineshaw J. Dastur

Solution:The Garland Canal System in India was proposed by Captain Dineshaw J. Dastur. The thought of river interlinking was first proposed by irrigation engineer M. Visvesvaraya. Later K.L. Rao also proposed another project of river interlinking. Then, the Water Resource Ministry rejected both projects (river interlinking & the Garland canal system).

29. Who is regarded as the Pioneer or Irrigation works in South India? [Uttarakhand P.C.S.(Pre) 2016]

(a) Sir Arthur Cotton
(b) Col. Baird Smith
(c) Lt. Blaine
(d) Col. Robert Smith

Correct Answer: (a) Sir Arthur Cotton

Solution:Sir Arthur Cotton was a British irrigation engineer who devoted his life to the construction of irrigation and navigation canal throughout British India. He is regarded as the Pioneer of irrigation works is South India.

30. The maximum irrigation potential of India is created through: [52nd B.P.S.C.(Pre) 2008]

(a) Major Project
(b) Minor project & Major Project
(c) Minor Project
(d) Medium Projects

Correct Answer: (c) Minor Project

Solution:Irrigation Projects in India are classified into three categories:

1. Minor Irrigation Projects: All groundwater and surface water schemes that have a Culturable Command Area (CCA) up to 2,000 hectares individually are classified as Minor Irrigation Schemes. The minor irrigation projects comprise all groundwater development schemes such as dug wells, private shallow tubewells, deep public tubewells, and boring and deepening of dugwells, and small surface water development works such as storage tanks, lift irrigation projects, etc. 62 percent irrigation potential of India is created through minor irrigation projects.

2. Medium Irrigation Projects: Those having a CCA between 2,000 hectares and 10,000 hectares fall under the category of medium irrigation projects.

3. Major Irrigation Projects: Irrigation projects having Culturable Command Area (CCA) of more than 10,000 hectares each are classified as major projects. 38 percent of the irrigation potential of India is created through major and medium irrigation projects.

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