Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has set a target of achieving
IH News Desk
AGARTALA, February 18, 2025: Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has set a target of achieving 80% irrigation coverage of cultivable land in the next few years. The state, which is predominantly a hilly region with over 70% covered by forests, is prioritising irrigation projects to improve agricultural productivity and help farmers double their income.
Chief Minister was speaking at the 2nd All India State Water Ministers Conference 2025 in Udaipur, Rajasthan, Tuesday.
The total cultivable land is 25% of the total geographical area, and 47% is covered with irrigation. Due to fast-flowing rivers and limited water storage capacity, there is little scope for surface water-based irrigation projects in the state.
Instead, the state has accentuated constructing rainwater storage structures and minor irrigation dams. The state has identified suitable sites for 98 minor irrigation projects covering 30,000 hectares and initiated work on 14 projects, Chief Minister said.
The annual extractable dynamic groundwater resources have increased from 1.063 billion cubic meters in 2023 to 1.18 billion cubic meters in 2024. Activities for water conservation, rainwater harvesting, renovation of traditional water bodies, watershed development, and intensive afforestation have been undertaken.
Tripura has 10 major fast-flowing rivers, which cause severe riverbank erosion and flooding during the monsoon season. The government has taken multiple steps to mitigate flood situations, including constructing 43 flood protection embankments and carrying out anti-erosion work on riverbanks.
Dr Saha stated that a state-specific action plan with a comprehensive water vision by 2047 is being prepared for integrated and sustainable water resource management.
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