Question

What are the favourable conditions in India for the development of irrigation?

Answer 1

(i) Perennial Rivers: There are a number of rivers which flow throughout the year because they are fed by the melting of snows.
(ii) Suitable spots for the construction of dams: Along the Indian streams there are many places suitable for construction of dams or embankments across the streams for impounding the water.
(iii) Inexhaustible store of underground water: A large proportion of the rain water finds its way underneath the surface by percolation and remains stored in the aquifer rock-layer. This underground water can be tapped for irrigation when required.
(iv) Arable land is level: Arable lands in India are confined to the northern plains and also parts of deltaic India which are level and suitable for the construction of canals.
(v) Abundance of natural depressions in Southern India: Peninsular India is mostly a plateau region with rolling uplands. There are a number of natural depressions. Only an earthern embankment is required to check the outflow.