WRD says supply ensured through lift irrigation
One of the check dams built across rivers in Sattari.
VALPOI
Check dams built across rivers in Sattari are proving very useful for farmers in the taluka.
These dams store lakhs of litres of water and support many kinds of farming and horticulture in the area. Officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD) in Valpoi said that because of the project, lakhs of square metres of land have come under irrigation. They said farmers do not face a shortage of water.
The scheme covers rivers such as the Mhadei, Ragada, Valvanti and Velus, along with other tributaries in Sattari.
The project began under the guidance of then chief minister Pratapsingh Rane. Its aim was to stop rainwater from flowing away, store it and use it for farming and horticulture through lift irrigation.
Around 30 small and big check dams have been built. Iron shutters fitted to the dams help retain water, which remains available for farm use till May. Before the scheme, farming was difficult in many places due to lack of water. After 2005, cultivation increased on land that was earlier barren. Crops such as coconut, areca nut, mango, cashew and banana are now grown on a large scale, boosting horticulture in the taluka. The project has also encouraged new plantations.
Water from the dams is supplied through lift irrigation. Pump houses send water directly to fields. Farmers get regular supply after paying a nominal fee to the WRD. Farmers have expressed satisfaction with the way the lift irrigation systems are working and the support given by the department.
The WRD said the shutters are removed when the monsoon approaches so that the river can flow normally. This is usually done in the first week of June, depending on the rainfall forecast. “If there is early and heavy rain, the shutters are removed immediately to prevent excess flow and possible flooding,” an official said.
