In a major step towards strengthening water security and expanding irrigation potential in Ladakh, the UT Administration has submitted a proposal to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for construction of 36 check dam projects in the Union Territory on August 22.

The proposal, submitted on the directions of Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, includes seven Himalayan Rock Check Dams in Leh region and 29 RCC Check Dams/Weirs in the Kargil region, at an estimated cost of over Rs 56 crore. The proposal for inclusion of the check dams under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) has been submitted to the Ministry for consideration and early approval.

The proposed projects would help impound a large quantity of untapped water in the Indus River in Leh and Suru River in Kargil, thereby strengthening the existing irrigation infrastructure, expanding irrigation potential and bringing additional cultivable land under assured irrigation. As per the DPR submitted to the Jal Shakti Ministry, these 36 check dams would irrigate a massive over 18,600 acres of land.

In Kargil region, 29 check dams have been proposed in wake of the agricultural requirements and prevailing acute water crisis noticed by L-G Saxena during the recent visit to Kargil and representation made by many villagers.

The initiative is guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary principle of conserving water for the future security. It assumes great significance as Ladakh, despite being endowed with extensive glaciers, abundance of snow and glacial meltwater, faces acute water shortages during the agricultural season. Of the total snow and glacial melt every year, only less than 1% of the total water is utilised at present. Recognising this challenge, L-G ideated and executed cost-effective and locally suitable water conservation interventions, including the construction of 05 Himalayan Rock Check Dams in Ladakh.

During his meeting with Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Patil in May this year, the L-G apprised the Minister of the Rock Check Dam. Patil, while appreciating the initiative, had also assured necessary support from the Ministry for Ladakh’s innovative water management initiatives.

The pilot interventions have demonstrated encouraging results. Besides creating an average storage of 25 to 30 million litres of water at shallow stretches of the river, they have also shown high durability and resistance against the increasing flow of water. In the month of May, the water flow in River Indus was around 25 cusecs, whereas the flow increased to nearly 200 cusecs in the month of August. However, the rock check dams have successfully withheld the rising water pressure.

“Ladakh cannot afford to let its precious glacier and snowmelt water flow away unused while our farmers face water shortages during the agricultural season. The Rock Check Dams and recent initiative to divert approximately 90 million litres of glacier water Stok Nallah into in Igoo-Phey Canal and Chushot village canal demonstrates that simple, cost-effective and environmentally suitable interventions can make a transformative difference to water availability and agriculture. We must harness every possible water resource and create a water-secure, agriculturally prosperous and climate-resilient Ladakh,” said L-G Saxena.

According to the proposal submitted to the Ministry, the three pilot Rock Check Dams have augmented water availability in existing irrigation canals and enhanced cultivable command areas by up to 30 per cent, demonstrating the suitability of such structures to Ladakh’s unique geographical and hydrological conditions.

Notably, since taking over as Lieutenant Governor, Saxena has conceived and executed several projects for long-term water and agricultural security in Ladakh, including Project Him Sarovar, Himalayan Rock Check Dams, and the operationalisation of Igoo-Phey irrigation canal and Mahey Canal, among others. So far, six Him Sarovars have been commissioned, while five Rock Check Dams have been completed.