NIA Tank Irrigated Area 3 4 5 2005-06 2010-11 2005-06 2010-11 2005-06 2010-11 2,14,000 2,36,000 2,18,000 1,96,000 1,15,000 2,03,000 2,41,000 2,35,000 2,23,000 1,81,000 1,91,000 1,30,000 1,68,000 1,27,000 27,83,000 100.0 1

1. PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION
MANAGEMENT UNDER TANKS
THE CASE OF IAMWARM PROJECT
K Sivasubramaniyan
Assistant Professor
Madras Institute of Development Studies
79, Second Main Road, Gandhinagar, Adyar, Chennai 600 020
E-mail: siva@mids.ac.in
Web: http://www.mids.ac.in/siva.htm

2. FIVE CONSTITUENTS MANAGING THE GLOBE ARE LAWFA
1 LAND
– Possibility of ownership
2 AIR
- Unknown (invisible) strength
3 WATER
- Possibility of ownership
4 FIRE
- No ownership
5 ATMOSPHERE - Possibility of ownership
Among the 5 constituents, the quality of the first 3 only
determine the environmental sustainability. So, all of us
should be careful against this LAW (= Land, Air & Water) and
not to pollute them but protect these natural resources.

3. Special Features of WATER
Among the five constituents of NRs, the WATER has its special features.
¾ of land area is made up of water, but only 2.4 % is possible for utilisation.
Without water, nothing will move on this earth.
This resource is available in three forms such as Seawater, freshwater and
groundwater. The source for the latter two forms, is only by rainfall.
• In some coastal areas the source for groundwater is Seawater, but it is fully saline.
• This resource has no Boarders to hold in the world. As a result, any wrong doing to
this resource (Seawater Pollution) will affect the entire globe.
•
•
•
•
•
A very important postulate is: For the basic source of water, the quantum of annual rainfall
occurred on the earth is equal almost in all the years, but its distribution varies considerably.
• By having all these special features, WATER serves better to one and all for a
happy living. But, what are we doing in our life to help the WATER RESOURCE?
• The possible answer is CONSERVE WATER & PREVENT POLLUTION IN ANY FORM

5. Table 1 Trends in Net Area Irrigated by Sources from 1950-51 to 2010-11
(Area in lakh ha)
Source
1950-51 to 1959-60 1960-61 to 1969-70 1970-71 to 1979-80
1980-81 to 1989-90 1990-91 to 1999-2000 2000-01 to 2010-11
Area % to NIA Area % to NIA Area % to NIA Area % to NIA Area % to NIA Area % to NIA
INDIA
Canals
91.9
41.2 111.9
41.9
137.7
40.1 163.1
38.3 173.4
32.7 154.6
26.7
Tanks
41.5
18.6
44.5
16.6
38.1
11.1
29.9
7.0
31.1
5.9
19.7
3.4
Wells+tubewells
66.3
29.8
87.1
32.6
144.1
41.9 207.8
48.7 292.5
55.2 353.9
61.0
Other sources *
23.2
10.4
23.9
8.9
23.8
6.9
25.4
6.0
33.1
6.2
51.9
8.9
Total NIA
222.9
100.0 267.3
100.0
343.6
100.0 426.3
100.0 530.1
100.0 580.1
100.0
TANMIL NADU
Canals
8.0
37.6
8.8
35.6
8.9
33.2
8.2
33.0
8.3
29.3
7.3
26.8
(8.7)
(7.9)
(6.5)
(5.0)
(4.8)
(4.7)
Tanks
7.8
36.8
9.1
36.8
8.5
31.5
6.2
24.7
6.3
22.4
5.1
18.6
(18.7)
(20.5)
(22.3)
(20.6)
(20.4)
(25.6)
Wells+tubewells
5.0
23.5
6.5
26.0
9.2
34.1
10.4
41.6
13.5
47.7
14.8
54.2
(7.5)
(7.4)
(6.4)
(5.0)
(4.6)
(4.2)
Other sources *
0.5
2.2
0.4
1.6
0.4
1.3
0.2
0.8
0.2
0.6
0.1
0.4
(2.0)
(1.6)
(1.5)
(0.7)
(0.5)
(0.2)
Total NIA
21.2
100.0
24.8
100.0
27.0
100.0
25.0
100.0
28.4
100.0
27.3
100.0
(9.5)
(9.3)
(7.8)
(5.9)
(5.4)
(4.7)
Note: Figures in brackets indicate sourcewise percentage compared to India.
* Indicates Anicutes, Bhandaras, Springs, Kuttai, Thangal, Small diversion networks and so on.
Source: Indian Agricultural Statistics, 1985-86--1989-90, Vol.I, Ministry of Agriculture, GOI. New Delhi.
CMIE, Agriculture, Various Issues. Indian Agriculture in Brief 27th Edn. January 2000.
GOTN, Tamil Nadu-An Economic Appraisal, Various Issues, Evaluation and Applied Research Department, Chennai.
GOTN, Season and Crop Reports, Various Issues. Chennai.
www.IndiaAgristat.com

6. Table 1 Structural Changes in the Economy of Tamil Nadu (Contribution by Percentage)
Sl no Sectors
1960-1 1970-1 1980-1 1990-1 1999-0 2010-1
1 Primary
43.5
34.8
25.9
23.4
17.3
8.8
2 Secondary
20.3
26.9
33.5
33.1
29.6
30.6
3 Tertiary
36.2
38.3
40.6
43.5
53.1
60.6
Total
100.0
100.0 100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
1. P Sector’s income contribution declined from 44 % to 9 %.
2. S Sector’s contribution increased from 20 % to 31 %.
3. T Sector’s growth is appreciable which contributes more than 3/5th of total.
The point is, still we have not self-sustained in all types of food grains
requirements and still we are in the process of importing agl commodities.
In the US economy, agl sec’s contribution is only < 2% of GDP.
WATER (80+%) IS THE BASIC INPUT FOR PROSPEROUS AGRICULTURE

7. Basin wise Surface Water Potential, Capacity of Reservoirs and Tanks in Tamil Nadu
Sl.
no.
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Basin
2
Chennai
Palar
Varahanadhi
Pennaiyar
Paravanar
Vellar
Agniyar
Pambar &
Kottakaraiyar
Vaigai
Gundar
Vaippar
Kallar
Tambraparani
Nambiyar
Kodayar
Parambikulam
& Aliyar
Cauvery
Total
Surface
Reservoirs
Water
Capacity
Potential No.
MCM TMCft
(MCM)
3
4
5
6
1124 1
91.2
3.2
1758 4
18.5
0.7
412 1
17.1
0.6
1310 7
333.4
11.8
144 0
0.0
0.0
963 5
109.3
3.9
1084 0
0.0
0.0
% to
Total
Tanks
No.
Capacity
MCM TMCft
% to
Total
Total Capacity
MCM
TMCft
7
1.5
0.3
0.3
5.4
0.0
1.8
0.0
8
9
2562 362.2
4224 1074.1
422
16.1
4772 631.4
149
0.6
1176 212.5
3081 230.3
10
12.8
37.9
0.6
22.3
0.0
7.5
8.1
11
7.1
21.2
0.3
12.5
0.0
4.2
4.5
12
453.4
1092.6
33.2
964.9
0.6
321.8
230.3
13
16.0
38.6
1.2
34.1
0.0
11.4
8.1
653
0
0.0
0.0
0.0
2812
550.7
19.5
10.9
550.7
19.5
1579
568
611
125
1375
204
925
6
0
7
0
7
2
5
521.6
0.0
49.9
0.0
193.7
5.8
239.9
18.4
0.0
1.8
0.0
6.8
0.2
8.5
8.5
0.0
0.8
0.0
3.2
0.1
3.9
2934
3337
1317
192
1355
425
1957
235.0
549.6
235.4
28.4
300.3
52.5
47.2
8.3
19.4
8.3
1.0
10.6
1.9
1.7
4.6
10.8
4.6
0.6
5.9
1.0
0.9
756.6
549.6
285.2
28.4
494.0
58.3
287.1
26.7
19.4
10.1
1.0
17.5
2.1
10.1
864
8
707.7
25.0
11.5
11
0.1
0.0
0.0
707.8
25.0
10460
23
3839.7
135.6
62.7
8476
540.1
19.1
10.7
4379.8
154.7
24159
76
6127.8
216.4 100.0 39202 5066.6
178.9 100.0 11194.4
395.3
Percentage to Total
25.4 54.7
21.0 45.3
46.3 100.0
Note: 1 MCM = 0.035314 TMCft or 35.314 MCft. All percentages and TMCft calculations are done by us.
Chennai basin potential includes 340 MCM as per Krishna water agreement. Cauvery basin potential includes Cauvery
in Tamil Nadu (4655MCM) and from Karnataka as per interim Tribunal order (5805 MCM).
All basins surface water potential @ 75 % dependability is 24,159 MCM (Hence the Capacity is 25%).
Source: XI FYP 2007-2012 SPC, Chennai, December 2007. Pp. 216 - 217.

8. Canal
Tank
Well
Year
Other Sources
2005-06
2001-02
1997-98
1993-94
1989-90
1985-86
1981-82
1977-78
1973-74
1969-70
1965-66
1961-62
1957-58
1953-54
1949-50
1945-46
1941-42
1937-38
1933-34
1929-30
1925-26
1921-22
1917-18
1913-14
1909-10
1905-06
Area in '000 ha
Figure 2 Trends in NIA by Sources in Tamil Nadu - 1905-2006
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0

9. Trends in Sources of Irrigation in Tamil Nadu 1950s to 2000s
1. In TN, canal irrigation declined from 8.0 lakh hec to 7.3 L Hec.
2. Tank irrigation also declined from 7.8 lakh hec to 5.1 L Hec.
3. Well irrigation increased from 5.0 lakh hec to 14.8 L Hec.
4. Overall net irrigated area increased from 21 lakh hec to 27 L Hec.
However, NSA increased marginally from 57 to 58 lakh hec.
A TRICKY QUESTION IS: HOW, WELL IRRIGATION HAS BEEN INCREASING?
1.
Area under both Canals & Tanks have been declining. These are the main
sources for recharging groundwater source.
2.
The interesting point is: whether canals / tanks are irrigating or not, it is only
secondary, but the primary concern is that once these two surface sources get
water supply – either through rains or through dams – the next second
onwards continuously these sources seeps, percolates water into the soil to
penetrate it into the sub-surface strata to store it as groundwater source.
3.
Hence, the groundwater is in one way, the other form of surface source and its
judicial use is considered important.

12. Characteristics of Kaveripakkam, Dusi-Mamandur and Chembarambakkam Tanks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Technical Details
KPT
DMT
CPT
___________________________________________________________________________________
Number of villages served
14
18
38
Number of sluices
10
4
8
Number of fillings
1
1
1
Number of supply sources
1
3
3
Number of surplus weirs
3
2
2
Depth of tank at FRL (feet)
31
30
24
Original / Present storage capacity at FTL (mcft)
1474 (1100) 1799
3130 (3645)
Registered ayacut (acres) 1983 (UDR)
5853
4139
13572
Water Spread area (m.sq.feet)
173
151
275
Free catchment area (sq.miles)
12
12
30
Combined catchment area (sq.miles)
49
116
138
Length of bund (miles)
5
2
6
Length of main channels under all sluices (Kms)
23
36
NA
Length of Branch channels under all sluices (Kms)
67
23
NA
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Note: Updated Settlement Registers. FTL = Full Tank Level.
Source: PWD Memoirs – KPT, DMT and CPT.

16. Table 4 District wise net sown, net irrigated and tank irrigated area in Tamil Nadu 2005-06 to 2010-11
Sl.No.
Districts
--> 2005-06 to 2010-11 <--
NSA
1
2
1
Sivagangai
2
Ramanathapuram
3
Pudukkottai
4
Kancheepuram
5
Kanniyakumari
6
Virudhunagar
7
Tirunelveli
8
Madurai
9
Villupuram
10
Thiruvannamalai
11
Thoothukudi
12
Thiruvallur
13
Krishnagiri
14
Perambalur
Total
% to State Total
15
Dharmapuri
16
Vellore
17
Theni
18
Dindigul
19
Tiruchirappalli
20
Thanjavur
21
Cuddalore
22
Namakkal
23
Salem
24
Karur
25
Coimbatore
26
Erode
27
Thiruvarur
28
Nagapattinam
29
The Nilgiris
Total
3
NIA by
All Sources
Tanks
4
5
(area in hectares)
Col.5/ Col.5/
No.of Tanks
Col.4*1 Col.3*1
during 2010-11
00
00
> 40 ha < 40 ha
6
8
Name of river basin
Avg.N
IA/
tank
11
9
10
114414
188216
153768
130506
80791
131454
165992
140217
337400
227378
177061
115486
179956
154315
83320
69657
109447
116818
27677
56746
115841
85523
234287
150643
40981
90434
48502
47254
68362
54897
72028
65702
14350
25608
48717
23022
55922
33214
8320
14674
7686
5105
82.0
78.8
65.8
56.2
51.8
45.1
42.1
26.9
23.9
22.0
20.3
16.2
15.8
10.8
59.7
29.2
46.8
50.3
17.8
19.5
29.3
16.4
16.6
14.6
4.7
12.7
4.3
3.3
678
477
660
709
41
290
373
294
988
604
107
573
139
84
4288
1217
4791
1233
2582
707
1782
1995
1097
1361
544
1322
1188
732
4966
1694
5451
1942
2623
997
2155
2289
2085
1965
651
1895
1327
816
2296953
1277131
497606
94
39.0
21.7
6017
75
24839
75
13.8
32.4
13.2
33.8
5.5
25.7
22.6
10.1
26.8
16.9
12.8
7.7
5.8
6.3
30856 16.1
75
162324
193922
114858
235858
233511
206869
229157
170012
225057
97602
344044
252246
172551
173545
78080
65606
96967
60033
105945
120603
168850
147988
70545
102556
53035
202581
150019
148158
125992
550
4264
5540
1423
6153
7400
321
6179
318
998
130
1130
167
0
0
0
6.5
5.7
2.4
5.8
6.1
0.2
4.2
0.5
1.0
0.2
0.6
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
2.6
2.9
1.2
2.6
3.2
0.2
2.7
0.2
0.4
0.1
0.3
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
89
420
20
766
115
130
188
67
89
18
49
17
0
0
0
926
935
130
2338
1652
298
404
192
457
248
42
681
0
0
0
1015
1355
150
3104
1767
428
592
259
546
266
91
698
0
0
0
5186589
2896559
531627
18.4
10.3
7985
33142
41127 12.9
Source: GOTN. Season and Crop Reports of Tamil Nadu, Various Issues. Dept. of Economics & Statistics. Chennai - 6.
7
Total
4.2
4.1
9.5
2.0
4.2
0.7
10.4
1.2
1.8
0.5
12.4
0.2
0.0
0.0
0.0
12
Manimuthar + PV
PV + Gundar
Vellar + Cauvery
Palar
Kodayar
Vaippar + Gundar
Tambraparani + Chittar
Periyar-Vaigai (PV)
Ponnaiyar +Gadilam
Cheyyar
Vaippar + Chittar
Ponnai + Cooum
Ponnaiyar
Cauvery
Ponnaiyar + Chinnar
Palar
Suruli + PV
Kodavanar+Shanmukha
Cauvery
Cauvery
Cauvery + Vellar
Vellar
Vellar
Kodavanar+Shanmukha
Aliyar+Bhavani+Noyyal
Bhavani+Noyyal

17. Table 5 Size Class and NIA by Tanks and Rainfall in Tamil Nadu:1950-51 to 2010-11
Sl No
Period
Number of Tanks
>40ha
1
2
3
<40ha
4
NIA by
Tanks
Lakh ha
Total
5
6
<---- Rainfall in MM --->
June to Oct. to Jan. to June to
Sept
Dec.
May
May
7
8
9
10
Normal Rainfall -> As per 2010-11 SCR -->
319
430
159
908
Normal Rainfall -> 61 Years data ------------>
319
457
156
933
1
1950-1 to 1959-60
7008
19125
26132
7.66
329
409
194
932
2
1960-1 to 1969-70
7922
27377
35299
9.12
323
466
151
940
3
1970-1 to 1979-80
8079
29724
37803
8.49
329
475
128
932
4
1980-1 to 1989-90
7251
30804
38054
6.16
320
372
165
856
5
1990-1 to 1999-00
7606
31570
39176
6.21
304
520
118
942
6
2000-1 to 2009-10
7791
32523
40315
5.06
301
487
183
971
Source: GOTN, Season and Crop Reports, Various Issues, Dept. of Economics and Statistics.

19. Names of Small Water Bodies in the Villages Served by Kaveripakkam Tank, 1913.
Sl.no. Name of Village
Name of Water Bodies
No. of SWBs
1
Kaveripakkam
1. Tamara Kuttai.
1
2
Kondapuram
1. Kandappar Kulam. 2. Nallathanni Kulam.
2
3
Sirukarumbur
1. Krisnan Kasam. 2. Amarapuram Kasam.
3. Ayapadi Kasam. 4. Ocheri Kasam.
4
4
Athipattu
1. Sirukarumbur Kasa Kalvay. 2. Meclean Kalvay.
3. Mamandur Kasam. 4. Vilagam Kasa Kalvay.
4
5
Eralacheri
1. Sitheri Tangal. 2. Isvaran Kulam. 3. Setti Kulam.
4. Nalla Thanni Kulam. 5. Pillaiyar Kuttai. 6. NanthiSetti Kuttai. 7. Paracheri Kuttai. 8. Thandu Kuttai.
9. Peria Devi Kuttai. 10. Karai Kuttai. 11. Sundu Kuttai.
11
6
Cheri
1. Nallathanni Kulam. 2. Alli Kulam. 3. Isvarankoil Kulam.
4. Pillaipettai Kuttai. 5. Anniyamman Kuttai.
5
7
Kattalai
Wholly a wetland village located adjacent to the foot of KPT.
0
8
Thuraiperumpakkam
1. Pakkiri Kuttai. 2. Vannan Kuttai. 3. Para Vannan Kuttai.
4. Amman Kuttai. 5. Talattiyan Kuttai. 6. Pattan Kuttai.
7. Ayanan Kuttai.
7
9
Maganipattu
1. Divittiyan kulam. 2. Toppu Kuttai. 3. Mangkuttai.
4. Thenginaru Kuttai. 5. Jambu Kuttai. 6. Sangara Kuttai.
7. Elaval Kuttai.
7
10
Alapakkam
1. Pudu Tangal. 2. Isvaran Kulam. 3. Govindan Kulam.
4. Nalla Thanni Kulam. 5.Tamarai Kulam. 6. Paracheri Kuttai.
7. Nirali Kuttai. 8. Vella Kuttai. 9.Pidari Kuttai. 10.Thulukkan
Kuttai. 11. Kosavan Kuttai. 12. Mel Kuttai. 13. Munuperumal
Kuttai. 14. Andar Kuttai. 15. Ellaitarisu Kuttai. 16. Parayan
Kuttai. 17. Ramadas Kuttai. 18. Sudukattu Kuttai. 19. Petta
Kuttai. 20. Lingam Kuttai. 21. Muttivettan Kuttai.
21
11
Pudupattu
1. Sitteri Tangal. 2. Kurutu Anichan Tangal. 3. Pudupattu
Tangal. 4. Vellalan Kulam. 5. Pillaiyar Kulam. 6. Govindan
Kulam. 7. Kosavan Kuttai. 8. Enavayan Kuttai. 9. Mungil
Kuttai. 10. Pandaram Kuttai.
10
12
Panniyur
1. Nallathanni Kulam. 2 Palani Mudali Kuttai.
3. Ayakaran Kuttai.
3
Total
75
Source: Descriptive Memoirs of Villages Served by Kaveripakkam Tank, 1913.

21. CHANGES IN IRRIGATION INSTITUTIONS
Increase in Pop;
<---------- Demographic Pressure ---------->
Land SD;
Big Land Lords
Pattadars
Multiplicity of tenants (Agre for Survival)
Landed
Tenants became owners
Community: BR;
Land to the tiller (Govt's Policy)
MR; NR; SC
Devpt of Wells Leads to
Farmers without
depending on
tanks are not
interested to
cooperate
Weakening of Organisation
Less cooperation with the Orgn led to
LAND CONTROL CASTE
From
To
Upper
Lower
Difficult to avoid drought;
reduce scarcity in surface
supply; quality of irrigation
(Assured, adequate &
timely supply)
Most non-well farmers got affected
Poor utilisation of available water
Less (yield) Productivity
Hence a strong organisational set-up is necessary to effectively run the irrigation system
Finally, while attempting on tank modernisation / rehabilitation and any other
improvements the Govt / NGO should take into account the socio-economic,
demographic and technological transformation that have occurred in the village
economies over time. Most importantly the users / beneficiaries should be involved in the
Development Process.
However, the beneficiaries involvement is totally lacking in the TN-IAMWARM Project
now it is nearing completion

22. THE IAMWARM PROJECT
Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration and Management
Objective
: More Yield per Drop of Water
Budget & Years: 2200 Crore & 7 Years (2007-2013)
Depts. Involved: 1 Agri. 2 Agl Engg. 3 Agl Marketing. 4 Animal
Husbandry. 5 Fisheries. 6 Horti. 7 TNAU & 8 WRD.
No. of Tanks to be Rehabilitated : About 5000 in 63 SBs.
C-A: Irri. System Modernisation @ SB Framework – 55 % Budget
C-B: Agl. Intensification & Diversification
- 32 %
C-C: Institutional Modernization for Irri. Agre
- 10 %
C-D: Water Resources Mgt.
- 1%
C-E: Project Management Support
- 2 %.
Period: Start – April 1, 2007 and Closing – March 31, 2013.

23. DEPARTMENT WISE INTERVENTIONS
1 Water resources department (WRD)
1 Supply Channel Desiltation
2 Sluices & Surplus Weirs Repair / Reconstruction
3 Strengthening of Tank Bund
4 Lining of Field Channels
5 Laying of Boundary Stones
6 All Other Works (model section, steps, measuring
devise, weir shutter and protection wall…)

24. 2 Department of Agriculture (Agri)
1. Introducing modern techniques – SRI,
Pulses mission, popularizing oilseeds
and so on.
2. Increasing CI, Crop diversification and
Productivity.
3. Identification of commodity groups.
4. Capacity building activities.

25. 3 Agricultural Engineering Department (AED)
1. Improving conveyance efficiency of water.
2. Improving Application Efficiency by drip /
sprinkler.
3. Improving groundwater recharge through
developing farm-ponds.
4. Popularizing agl. Machineries to improve
productivity of crops

26. 4 Agricultural Marketing Department (AMD)
1. Ensure market driven profitable crops.
2. Facilitate value addition crops.
3. Improve transport arrangement for
marketing of products.
4. Provide cold storage/godowns & ABCs.
5. Identifying & forming commodity groups.
6. Improve market awareness using latest
techniques.

27. 5 Animal Husbandry Department (AHD)
1. Upgrading local cattle population.
2. Improving health care of livestock.
3. Nutrient management of animals.
4. Developing entrepreneurship in livestock
through training unemployed veterinary
graduates.

28. 6 Fisheries Department (DoF)
1. Promoting Pisciculture / Quality fish seed
production in Farm Ponds.
2. Promoting sustainable Aquaculture in
Irrigation Tanks.
3. Promoting small Ornamental Fish Culture
units to increase income.

29. 7 Department of Horticulture (DoH)
1. Crop diversification to HYV & Water
Efficient Crops / Techniques.
2. Introducing Hybrid Varieties in
Vegetables / Fruits / Spices to increase
income
3. Promotion of INM / IPM for sustaining
soil health.
4. Promoting Organic Farming

30. 8 Tamil Nadu Agl University (TNAU)
1.
Promoting large scale adoption of modern / scientific
technologies – SRI, Oilseeds, Pulses to increase PDY.
2. Spreading of Precision Farming / sprinkler / Drip
technology to increase yield & save water.
[Tomato in 1 ha yield is 30,000 kg – Normal cultivation.
In Precision farming this yield is 1.5 lakh kg.
In Israel the same is 5 lakh kg. The plant is 16’ high
and the crop period is 8-9 months].
3. Popularizing Crop Diversification / Labour saving
implements.
4. Promotion of Seed Village Concept (SVC) to produce
quality seeds.

31. Component Wise IAMWARM Project Cost and Expenditure
Sl. No.
Project
Cost in
Rupees
Component / Departments
(Figures in Rs. Crores)
Expenditure Details
Total Expenditure for
the Year 2012-13
(till Dec. 2012)
Cumulative Total for
the Project
Component A – Irrigation Systems Modernization
1,272
Component B – Agl Intensification & Diversification
2
Agriculture Department
98
3
Agriculture Engineering Dept.
339
1
Water Resources Department
255
1,071
0.74
4.82
57
75
4
Agri-business & Agri. Marketing Dept.
93
0.14
28
5
Tamil Nadu Agriculture University
89
6.20
57
6
Horticulture Department
7
Animal Husbandry Department
8
Fisheries Department
73
39
17
748
237
23
37
2,317
0.90
2.03
0.03
14.87
1.64
0.68
3.26
311
54
28
9
308
38
0.95
24.39
1,452
Total (Component B)
Component C (WRD – Institutional Modernization)
Component D (WRD) – Water Res. Mgt . (SWaRMA)
Component E (MDPU) – Project Mgt. Support
Total

32. Problems and Issues Identified among the WUAs and
Depiction made by them During the Training
Name of the WUAs
Problems and Issues Identified
1. Koivaneri anicut









WUA
2. Thailakulam tank
WUA
t ha ; ; hy ; r hp nr a ; N z ; k ;
ff
a t
L .
k i l i a J }h; hw N z ; k ;
t
t
L
k i l i a , bj ; f l ; N z ; k ;
J
l
t
L
f z ; ha ; k z ; t p r ha j ; f ; ga d ; Lj ; N z ; k ;
k
t
J F
g j
t
L .
t uj ; f ; hy ; ha ; mi l j ; K l ; s ; t s h; ; s ; J
J f
t
J
f
eJ s
t uj ; f ; f hy ; ha ; mf y g; Lj ; N z ; k ;
J
t
g j
t
L
f i ua p ; k z ; hp G c s ; J .
y
m g;
s
k P ; Vy j ; hy ; j z ; P j p J t p j p ; r p ; y ;
dp
j
z h; we;
Lt y
ff .
f z ; ha ; ; s ; t p r ha k ; nr a ; p f s ; f z ; ha ;
k fF
t
f whh; .
k
j z ; P u gp ; p t p p f s ;
z i
Lq f
Lf whh; .
3. Malli Periyakulam
 t uj ; f ; hy ; ha ; eP t ut p ; y . gp hl ;
J f
t
h;
yi
s
Anaithalaiaru &
M f ; p p i g mf w; p r hp nr a ; N z ; k ;;
f uk g;
w
a t
L .
Peyanaru WUA
4. Pottakualam anicut  F s j ; p ; c s ; nr bf i s mf w; j y ;
j y
s
W
& Vasudevanallur
1. eP uj ; M w; w r h; t nr a ; M f ; p p G i s
h;
t
J
i
N
J
f uk g; f
tank WUA
mf w; N z ; k ;
w t
L
2. M w; eP u N hl ; huhy ; C W Rj y .
W i
k l
Q;
;

33. Name of the
WUAs
1. Pudukulam
tank WUA
direct
2. Ariyur
Periyakulam
WUA
3. Athikulam
Senkulam tank
Anaithalaiaru
and Peyanaru
WUA
Problems and Issues Identified
 k P ; F j ; i f i a ePi d ga d ; L j ; N h ;
d
j
h
p
g
J t h
r q ; j ; f ; f mu
f
J N
R K O c hi k t o q ;
p
f
N z ; j y;
t
L
.
ngh f ; wg;
J F pG
N w
k ;
F nj h h ; p k i y g; F j p p ; c s ;
l ; r
r
g
a y
s
%d ;
W F s q ; s p ; c gh eP C hd ;
f
d
p h
;
p
eL g; F j p p ; nr y ; k ; f y p ; y hu y
g
a y
Y
qf
h
j w gh
N J r h ; i l MW Mf kh p
;
f f
w
c s ; J ; mi j Rj ; k ; nr a ;
s
j
J me; eP
j
H
;
c gh eP l d ; f y f ; h y ; nr a ; y ;
p U
f k
j
.
 eh ;
d F I e;
J Mz ; h
l f ki o , y ; h
y j
f h z j ; h ; Fs j ; p ; c s ; s , u ;
u
j y
j d
N
z L
rK j h
a f p W N h ; gk ; nr l ;
z
j z b
G
L
mi k j ;
J %d ;
W k i l f ; k ; F oh ;
F
a
gj p ; f ; nf h j ; y ;
j J
L j
.
 f
j
f
t
h ; h ; r P p ; g; l N z ; k ;
yt a
h Uj j g
j
;
t
L .
p
Ut p ; p j ; }h ef u l ; p f o p gp
yy G J ;
h r
g; l
o p f i s , r h g; l ; i w f o p eP s
T
a g l
T h
f
;
u ; f ; f h ; h p ; N l ; %L f p ; d h
j J
yt a y
gh L
dw
.
;
 nr q ; s k ; f z ; h p ; N w
F
k a d
k ;
F gF j p p ;
a y
t Pf s ; f l ; , l k ; M f ; pk p G
L
b
f u g;
nr a ; p ; d h
f dw
;
.

34. Name of the WUAs Problems and Issues Identified
1. Indhiraperikulam  f z ; ha p ; mj p M oj ; p ; k z ; ms ; g;
k
y
f
j y
s & Peikulam WUA
gLf p . k i l f ; j z ; P N
wJ
F
z h; euhf t uhi k .
2. Ilanthaikulam
 f z ; ha p ; nr q ; y ; R+ s f ; mD k j p
k
y
f
i
F
Sirukulam WUA
t oq ; j y ;
F
3. Thirthakkal anicut  f z ; ha p ; c s ; t p r ha ep q ; i s
k
y
s
t
y f
WUA
M f ; p p G mf w; j y ; mj p k hf c s ; J .
f uk g;
W
f
s
4. T. Manakaseri tank
 f z ; ha p ; k z ; ms ; t j w; mD k j p
k
y
S
F
Anaithalaiaru and
Peyanaru WUA
mur hq ; k ; nf hLf ; t p ; y
f
f
yi
5. Pudukottai tank
 mof hG gf ; K s ; VIP r p ; ; c s ;
hp
f
s
l b
s
and
f z ; ha ; ; ghj ; p g; l ; f hy ; hi a
k
f F
j a g l
t
M f ; p pi g c s ; J .
f uk g;
s
Thathaperumalku
lam tank WUA
 f z ; ha p ; j z ; Py ; h N
k
y
z hp y
euj ; p ;
j y
t p r ha j j p F r K j ha f p W mi k f ;
t
; w;
d
f
N z ; k;
t
L
6. Sankanaperi
 Vw; d N 8000 A+ p ; k z y ; M w; p ;
f
t
d l
wy
vLj ; j hy ; ep j ; b eP F i we; t p r ha k ;
j
y j
h;
J
t
Anicut Direct
ghj p ; g; l ; c s ; J .
f f g L
s
Ayacut WUA &
7. Sengulam anicut  eP p G gF j p s p ; C uhl ; p F g; gf i s
h; bg;
g
f
y
r
i
WUA
nj hl ; t Uf p f s ; , j d hy ; eP p G
b
whh; .
h; bg;
g
F i we; t Uf p
J
wJ

35. Name of the WUAs Problems and Issues Identified
1. Padharankulam &
Chittaru WUA
 nr q ; y ; R+ s f s ; c gN h j ; p F k z ;
f
i
a f j w;
v L f ; mD k j p ms p ; f ; $ l h .
f
f f
J
2. Keelachinthamani  r p k i l gO J nr a ;
W
J 6 kh k; $ l
j
M f t p ; y . mJ K O i k Ak ; r he;
yi
pJ
Tank WUA
t p e;
O J t p ; J . j z ; P t ut p ; y .
l l
z N
u
yi
3. Valaikulam tank,  f y p ; y p ; f l e; IAMWARM N i y f s p ;
qf
y
j
t
y
Peyanaru WUA
G p , Uk ; mi l g; h
j a
G
g d nr a ; h ; s ; mJ
j h
f
.
K w; p k ; N j k i l e;
wY
r
J gi o a
k ur l ; h i s k h ; c gN h p ;
l ;
f
l b
a f j J
t Uf p wh ; mj p ; ep wa eP
N k.
y
i
h
;
nt s p a W p . k z y ; h p p k ; eP
N
f wJ
t ha Y
h
;
nt s p a W p .
N
f wJ
4. Vagaikulam WUA  t h f f ; s k ; f z ; h p ; c s ;
i
F
k a y
s eP p G
h bg;
g
;
gF j p p ; c s ;
a y
s j d p h ; M f ; p pG
a h
f uk g;
k w; k ; mur h ; f ; f l ; l k ; (mq ; d ; h
W
qf
b
f
t b
i k a k ; mf w; g; l N z ; k ;
)
w g
t
L .
 1984M k ; t Ul k ; UDRa p ; r h t
y
N
;
nr a ; g; l ; j p ; gy ; t W F s W
a g l
y
N
gbf s ;
c s ; J . mi j k W
s
gbAk ; h h t nr a ;
r N
P ;
J
c z ; kah
i
d gl ; h h ; S f ;
l j uh
f
F nga h
;
k h wk ; nr a ;
w;
J nf h f ; N z ; f p wh ;
L f
t
L N k.
5. Manalur
 eP gh ; ; t j w;
H
;
ar R
F Ms ; N i t .
j
Periyakulam and  eP p G gF j p p ; M f ; p p G
h bg;
g
;
a y
f uk g;
Perunkottur WUA  r q ; j ; p F r p a mY t y f k ; N i t .
f j w;
wp
j

36. Major Problems in Tank Irrigation Reporting Data
1. Most of the available official statistics of tanks are inadequate, inconsistent and incomplete.
2. No clear data on no. of tanks & the area irrigated by them.
3. Regional studies indicate that not much reduction in the ayacut area under tanks; but at
macro level – state / national – it is difficult to see the full extent of area irrigated under tanks
even in good rainfall years.
4. This raises doubts about the data recording system.
5. No data are available for the quantum of supply available to each tank and the quantum of
water utilised from each tank. All available data are merely approximations.
6. Development of well irrigation affects the growth, mainly due to poor functioning of IIs /
stability of tank irrigation. So, regulation required.
7. But the tricky point is: all the wells get their supply either from rainfall or from surface water
sources, if so, why farmers do not realise this fact and act upon cooperatively to maintain the
tanks?

37. Critical Factors Affecting Tank Irrigation
1. Three important sets of factors:
a) PHYSICAL – Location, sources of supply, siltation and weeds in the tank & supply
channels, encroachments in supply channels, foreshore area, tank beds and the
catchment area.
b) INSTITUTIONAL – This problem is more severe in recent decades: Social (caste
and class structure); economic (land holding pattern), demographic (population
pressure on land); and Political (poor attention, no policy change, lethargic
attitude of politicians in many tank related aspects).
c) TECHNICAL – Conditions of water supply; drainage conditions; soil quality, the
spread of well irrigation and so on.
2. Most importantly all these factors do not act in isolation and there is strong interconnection among them, which complicate the smooth functioning of institutions.

38. Suggestions for Improvement and Restoration
1. Converting local ponds into full-fledged tanks and non-system tanks into system tanks.
2. A thorough survey of existence of tanks and their present position in the state.
3. Studying the effectiveness of tanks in terms of groundwater banking. That is, the quantum withdrawal
and quantum recharged in each year.
4. To restore the original storage capacity of tanks in the 14 ITI districts, for which suitable no. of bulldozers
to be provided by the government to maintain the tanks fully.
5. The GIS to be utilised for tank improvement purpose.
6. The LAWS should be tightened to evict encroachers from all water bodies instantly.
7. To educate the farmers on the importance of tank maintenance, the govt. agencies such as PWD,
Revenue, Forestry, Mining as well as the NGOs should be involved. At present these departments itself
are not properly functioning for tank improvement purposes.
8. The government’s effort should be to link the southern peninsular rivers first and then these should be
interconnected to bigger tanks, which must be given priority in the planning process.

39. Conclusion: The tank improvement programmes undertaken in recent decades have
been inadequate in scale, misconceived in design, poor in implementation and dubious in
their impact - A. Vaidyanathan – Former Central PC Member.
The apt eg for this point still is the currently moving IAMWARM Project in TN.
Hence, due importance should be given in the Plan investments for betterment of
tank irrigation.

40. THANK YOU