Question

Why is tank irrigation the most popular form of irrigation in the Peninsular Plateau?

Answer 1

Tank irrigation is popular in the Peninsular Plateau of India, especially in states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, due to the following reasons:

1. Undulating relief and hard rocks make it difficult to dig canals and wells.
2. Low percolation of rainwater due to the hard rock structure means groundwater is not available in large quantities.
3. Most rivers in this region are seasonal and dry up in summer, making them unreliable for canal irrigation throughout the year.
4. There are many streams that become torrential in the rainy season. The only way to use this water is to impound it using bunds and tanks, otherwise it flows into the sea and is wasted.
5. The scattered population and agricultural fields also make tank irrigation more suitable.