Question

Give reasons for the following.

Canal irrigation is more popular in northern plains.

Answer 1

1. Perennial river systems fed by melting Himalayan glaciers provide a steady, year-round source of water for canal networks.
2. Soft alluvial soil is free from rocky structures, making it physically easy and highly cost-effective to dig and construct extensive canal channels.
3. Flat and level terrain allows diverted river water to flow naturally by gravity over long distances, easily covering large contiguous agricultural fields.
4. Fertile and wide farmlands in this region support intensive agriculture, resulting in a massive, ongoing demand for large amounts of water to sustain high crop yields.
5. A high water table prevents significant seepage losses, which would otherwise drain the canals quickly, resulting in effective water transfer across unlined channels.