Description

Malwa Canal

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Context:

The Malwa Canal is proposed to be constructed on the left bank of the Rajasthan Feeder Canal, land that officially belongs to the Rajasthan Government.

About the Malwa Canal Project:

Malwa Canal Project is a planned irrigation and water management project in Punjab, India. It is the first of its kind to be built in Punjab since independence.

Project structure: The canal will originate from the Harike main structure on the Sutlej in Ferozepur district. It terminates at Warring Khera village in Muktsar district, close to the Haryana border, and will run parallel to the Sirhind Feeder and Rajasthan Feeder canals to the east of Haryana.

Capacity: The canal holds 2000 cusecs of water (a cusec is a flow equivalent to 1 cubic foot per second.)

Significance of the project: It is designed to meet the irrigation needs of nearly 2,000,000 hectares in southern Punjab, running parallel to the left bank of the Rajasthan Feeder Canal.

About the Geography of Punjab

Location	Northwestern India, is bordered by Pakistan (West), Jammu & Kashmir (North), Himachal Pradesh (East), and Haryana & Rajasthan (South).
Area	1.53% of India’s total geographical area.
Topography	Plains dominate; Shivalik Hills in the northeast; semi-arid regions in the south.
Rivers	Sutlej, Beas, Ravi (part of the Indus River System).
Climate	Predominantly subtropical: hot summers, monsoon season, mild winters.
Soil Types	Alluvial soils in plains; and sandy soils in southern regions.
Vegetation	Dry deciduous forests; agriculture dominates.
Major Crops	Wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane, and cotton (which forms part of India’s Green Revolution zone).
Natural Resources	Groundwater, fertile soils, mineral resources (coal in small quantities, salt deposits).
Wildlife	Key species: Blackbuck, Indian leopard, migratory birds. Major protected areas: Harike Wetlands, Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Demography	Dense population, majority rural; rich cultural and linguistic diversity.
Significance	Known as the "Granary of India" and the "Breadbasket of India" due to its agricultural prominence.

Source:

Indian Express

Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS)

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Context:

The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) is likely to submit its final report on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS).

About the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS)

Location	Godavari River, Kaleshwaram, Bhupalpally, Telangana, India.
Purpose	Irrigation, drinking water supply, and municipal/industrial use.
Coverage	Provides water to ~45,000 acres across 20 districts (excluding Hyderabad and Secunderabad)
Current Status	Largest multi-stage irrigation project in the world.
Major Impact Area	The confluence of Pranahita and Godavari rivers.
River	Pranahita River (confluence of Wardha, Painganga, and Wainganga rivers)
Watershed	The seventh largest watershed in the Indian subcontinent.
Design	7 links and 28 packages covering ~500 km (310 mi) across 13 districts
Water Production	Total 240 TMC: 195 TMC (Medigadda Barrage), 20 TMC (Sripada Yellampalli Project), 25 TMC (groundwater)
Water Allocation	169 TMC for irrigation 30 TMC for municipal water in Hyderabad 16 TMC for industrial use 10 TMC for drinking water in nearby villages Remainder for evaporation losses
Significance	Supports agricultural development, industrial growth, and urban water needs in Telangana

About the geography of Telangana

Location	South-central India is bordered by Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Area	11th largest state in India.
Capital	Hyderabad
Topography	Deccan Plateau with an average elevation of 500–600 meters above sea level.
Major Rivers	Godavari, Krishna, Bhima, Manjira, Musi.
Climate	Tropical wet and dry climate; hot summers, moderate winters, and monsoon rains.
Forests	About 24% forest cover; tropical dry deciduous forests dominate.
Natural Resources	Coal, limestone, granite, quartz, and dolomite.
Biodiversity	Home to wildlife sanctuaries like Kawal, Amrabad, and Pocharam.
Agriculture	Major crops: Paddy, maize, cotton, and pulses. Irrigation via canals, tanks, and borewells.
Soil Types	Red sandy soil, black cotton soil, and alluvial soil.
Key Landforms	Hills: Nallamala, Ananthagiri; Plateau: Deccan; Valleys: Godavari, Krishna.
Major Cities	Hyderabad, Warangal, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Khammam.

Source:

Indian Express

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.What is the Malwa Canal Project and what are its primary objectives and benefits?

(a) A flood control project aimed at preventing flooding in the Malwa region of Punjab.

(b) A multipurpose irrigation and water supply project designed to enhance agricultural productivity in the Malwa region of Punjab.

(d) A social welfare project aimed at providing clean drinking water to rural areas of the Malwa region.

Answer: b

Explanation:

A planned irrigation and water management project in Punjab, India, designed to meet the irrigation needs of approximately 2 million hectares in southern Punjab. Originating from the Harike main structure on the Sutlej, it runs parallel to the Rajasthan Feeder Canal.