Parichha Dam

Parichha Dam Latest News

Recently, the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) has recognized the historic Parichha dam as a ‘World Heritage Irrigation Structure (WHIS)’. 

About Parichha Dam

• Location: It is located on Betwa River in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.
• It is a key component of Betwa Canal System, which supplies water for agriculture to drought-prone areas of Bundelkhand.
• Parichha Dam has played an important role in the irrigation system of Bundelkhand for nearly 140 years.
• It benefits irrigation in several areas of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
• Historical Background
  • In 1855, Captain Strachey proposed developing a canal system for Bundelkhand, following which surveys were undertaken.
  • Construction of the dam began in 1881 and it became operational in 1886.
• Others in the World Heritage Irrigation Structure list: In 2022, the Sukwa-Dukwan Weir in Jhansi was included in the ICID heritage list

International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage

• It was established in 1950.
• It is a leading scientific, technical, international not-for-profit, non-governmental organization.
• Mission: ICID’s mission is to promote ‘Sustainable agriculture water management’ to achieve ‘Water secure world free of poverty and hunger through sustainable rural development’.
• It is working on irrigation, drainage and flood management.
• Under its WHIS programme, the ICID recognises historically significant irrigation and drainage structures for their engineering, historical and continuing significance.
• Criteria for World Heritage Irrigation Structure: 
  • The structure shall be more than 100 years old;
  • The structures shall fall under one of the following categories:
    • Dams (operational largely for irrigation purpose),
    • Water storage structures such as tanks for irrigation,
    • Barrages and other water diversion structures,
    • Canal Systems,
    • Old waterwheels,
    • Old shadouf,
    • Agriculture drainage structures,
    • Any site or structure functionally related to present or past agricultural water management activity.

Source: News On Air

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