Hydrogeology:
Kerala State is a narrow stretch of land covering 38863 sq.km area bordering the Lakshadweep Sea on the western side and Tamil Nadu Karnataka Station the eastern side. The length of the State from north to south is 560km and the average width is 70km with a maximum of 125km. it lies between North latitudes 08 0 18' and 12 0 48' and east longitudes 74 0 52' and 77 0 22'.
The occurrence and movement of groundwater in various litho-units underlying the State are mainly controlled by the physiography, geological setting and structural features.
(i) Physiography:
Physiographically the State is divided into three major units viz. the coastal plains, the midlands and the hill ranges. The coastal plains have an elevation of less than 7.6m whereas the elevation of the midland ranges from 7.6 to 76 m and that of the hill ranges is more than 76 m above mean sea level (amsl). Along the hill ranges two distinct plateau regions are seen, the important being the Wayanad plateau, which covers major part of Wayanad district, the general elevation of which is above 700 m amsl. The other plateau is the Munnar plateau in Idukki district, the elevation of which is about 1000 m amsl.
(ii) Rain Fall:
Kerala receives normal annual rainfall of 3060 mm, received mainly during the Southwest Monsoon period, extending from May to September, followed by the Northeast Monsoon in the months of November and December. The period between May and October accounts for about 87 percent of the annual rainfall. This period has been considered as monsoon season for computation of monsoon rainfall recharge. The amount of rainfall received shows a gradual decrease from North to South.
(iii) Geology:
As much as 88% of the State is underlain by crystalline rocks of Archaean age comprising schistose formations, Charnockites, Khondalites and gneisses. All these formations are intruded by dykes of younger age. The sedimentary formations of Tertiary age occurring along the western parts of the State comprise four distinct beds viz. Alleppey, Vaikom, Quilon and Warkali. The crystalline and the Tertiary formations are lateritized along the midland area. Alluvial deposits of Recent origin are seen along the coastal plains.
Occurrence of Groundwater:
Ground water occurs under phreatic, semi-confined and confined conditions in the above formations. The weathers crystallines, laterites and the alluvial formations from the major phreatic aquifers, whereas the deep fractures in the crystallines and the granular zones in the Tertiary sedimentary formations form the semi-confined and confined aquifers.Along the hill ranges, the crystalline rocks are covered by thin weathered zone. Thick zones of weathered crystallines are seen along midland region. The depth to water level in the weathered crystallines in the midland area ranges from 3 to 16mbgl. The midland area sustains medium capacity dug wells for irrigation. Mostly dug wells that can cater to domestic needs are feasible along topographic lows. Bore wells tapping deeper fractured aquifer are feasible along potential fractures in the midland and hill ranges. Potential fractures are seen down to 240m and the most productive zone is between 60 and 175m and the discharge of bore wells range between 36,000 and 1,25,000 lph.
Of the four Tertiary beds, the two beds viz. the Vaikom and Warkali beds are potential aquifers. The Alleppey beds at the bottom contains bhrackish water as inferred from electrical logs, whereas, the Quilon beds are poor aquifers. The Vaikom aquifer is seen all along the coast between Quilon and Ponnani and the piezometric surface ranges from 1 to 18 m above msl. The aquifer is extensively developed between Quilon and Kayamkulam. The aquifer contains fresh water south of Karuvatta in Alleppey district and also north of chellanum in Ernakumal district. The Warkalai aquifer is seen south of Cochin . The piezometric head in the aquifer varies from 2.6m above msl to 10m above msl. The aquifer is largely developed in and around Alleppey and in Kuttanad area.
Laterites are the most widely distributed lithological unit in the State and the thickness of this formation varies from a few meters to about 30m. The depth to water level in the formation ranges from less than a meter to 25 mbgl. Laterite forms potential aquifers along valleys and can sustain medium duty irrigation wells with the yields in the range of 0.5-6m3 per day.
The alluvium forms potential aquifer along the coastal plains and ground water occurs under phreatic and semi-confined conditions in this aquifer. The thickness of this formation varies from few meters to above 100m and the depth to water level ranges from less than a meter to 6m bgl. Filter point wells are feasible wherever the saturated thickness exceeds 5m.
Ground water potential of Kerala:
The ground water potential of Kerala is very low as compared to that of many other states in the country. The estimated ground water balance is 5590Mm³. Dug wells are the major ground water extraction structure in Kerala. The dug wells have a maximum depth of about 10 to 15 meters and have a diameter of about 1 to 2 meters in coastal region and 2 to 6 meters in the midland and high land. The open well density in Kerala is perhaps the highest in the country-200 wells per sq.km in the coastal region, 150 wells per sq.km in the midland and 70 wells per sq.km in the high land. The ground water withdrawal is estimated as 980Mm³ and the State Ground Water Department calculate the effective recharge as 8134 sq Mm³.The ground water level receding drastically during the summer months and drying up of wells are common features of the ground water levels in many parts of Kerala. The ground water replenishment and hence the levels depends also on the geo-morphological, physical and chemical properties of the soil in general, The depth of water level in Kerala state varies from few cm bgl to 56 M bgl and most of the area fall under 0-20 M bgl. The depth of the water level in the weathered crystalline of midland areas in Kerala varies from 3- 16 M bgl. The midland area sustains medium capacity dugwells.
Borewells tapping deeper fractured aquifer are feasible along potential features in the midland and hill ranges. Potential fractures are seen down to 240 M and the most productive zone is between 60 M and 175 M. The discharge of borewells range between 3,600 Iph and 1,25,000 Iph. In laterites, which is the most widely distributed lithological area in the state having a thickness from a 3 M to 30 M, the depth of water level ranges from less than a meter to 25 M.bgl. Lateries from potential aquifer along valleys and can sustain wells with yields in the range of 0.5 M³ to 6 M³ per day. Along the coastal plains the ground water occurs at depth ranging from less than a meter to 6 M.bgl. Filter point wells are feasible wherever the saturated availability indicate that ground water depths are farthest for laterite regions and shallowest for coastal alluvium during all times of the year. The availability of the groundwater level between the post and ore monsoon levels varies widely. The water level fluctuations in the post monsoon and ore monsoon vary between coastal alluvium, river alluvium and valley hills.
Groundwater Availiability of Kerala:
Ground water fulfils the irrigation needs of around 50 percent of irrigated area. The total Annual ground water availability in Kerala State has been computed as 6.620 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM) and the net ground water availability in the entire state is 6.029 BCM. The rainfall recharge accounts for about 82 percent of the annual recharge. The annual ground water draft for all uses in the state is 2.809BCM. The net Ground water availability for future irrigation development in the state as in 2009 is of the order of 3.021 BCM. The overall stage of development of the State is 47 percent. The district wise stage of development is maximum in Kasaragod (71 percent) and minimum in Wayanad district (17 percent). Details are given here The net annual ground water availability for the state of Kerala during 2009 has reduced to 3.22 per cent compared with the data during 2004. The annual ground water draft for all uses has reduced by 3.80 per cent during the period. The net ground water availability for future irrigation development in the state as a whole shows a decline of 1.74 per cent in 2009 compared to 2004.
As per 2011 census, 65 percent of rural and 59 percent of urban households have wells. The ground water potential of Kerala is limited because 88 percent of the total geographical area of the State is underlain by crystalline rocks devoid of any porosity. There are 10 different principal aquifer systems in Kerala. Groundwater in Kerala has a potential of 34-601 metres below ground level (mbgl) and the yield varies between 0.1 – 38 lps (litres per second) depending on the area.
As per ground water resource data 2011, the total annual ground water availability and the net groundwater availability in the State is 6.69 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM) and 6.07 BCM respectively. The annual ground water draft for all uses in the State is 2.84 BCM out of which 1.31 BCM is for irrigation purpose. 3.07 BCM is the net ground water availability for future irrigation development in the State. The stage of ground water development of our State is 47%. Among the districts, Kasaragod and Wayanad ranks maximum and minimum with 71% and 18% respectively. Out of the 152 revenue blocks assessed in the State during 2011 for groundwater potential, 1 block (Chittur) is categorized as over exploited, 2 blocks (Kasaragod, Malampuzha) as critical, 23 blocks as semi- critical and 126 blocks as safe. The details of Ground Water Resources of Kerala during 2011 is given here.
As per ground water resource data 2013 assessment, total Annual Ground Water Availability in Kerala State as on March 31, 2013 has been computed as 5.664 Billion Cubic Metre (BCM). Rainfall recharge accounts for about 82 percent of the annual recharge, with the remainder contributed by other sources. The contribution of districts to the total annual recharge of the State is shown below: Contribution of districts to the Total Annual Ground Water Recharge in Kerala is given here.
As per the assessment 2013, the Net Ground Water Availability for the entire State is 5.664 billion cubic metre (BCM). The district-wise availability in the State ranges from 200.43MCM in Idukki district to 637.83MCM in Palakkad district. The Annual Ground Water Draft for all uses in the State is of the order of 2.635 BCM and ranges from 54.74 MCM in Wayanad district to 352.85 MCM in Palakkad district. Details of block- wise groundwater draft are given in Annexure IIID. The spatial distribution of ground water draft among districts in the State is given here.
The Net Ground Water Availability for future irrigation development in the State as in March 2013 is of the order of 2.94 BCM. The district-wise net ground water availability ranges from 98.65 MCM in Kasargod district to 325.33 MCM in Ernakulam district. District-wise status of Net Ground Water Availability and Annual Ground Water Draft for all uses is shown here. Table 1, Table 2.
As per the data on Dynamic Ground Water Resources of Kerala (2013), total annual ground water recharge of the State is 6,251.31 MCM and the net annual ground water availability is 5,651.53 MCM. The existing Gross Ground water draft for Irrigation is 1,181.77 MCM and the existing gross ground water draft for all uses is 2,634.91 MCM. The net ground water availability for future irrigation development is 2,944.62 MCM. The stage of ground water development of our State is 46.62 percent. Kasaragod leads with 69.81 per cent followed by Thiruvananthapuram with 60.27 percent. The stage of ground water development is least for Wayanad District (19.48 per cent). Details are given here.
Major schemes implemented by the department are Investigation and Development of Ground Water Resources and scheme for ground water conservation and artificial recharge. In 2017-18, ground water investigation was done for 2,585 dug wells and 10,183 drilled wells. The financial achievement of the scheme is 70 per cent. With the objective of preventing adverse environmental impacts of over exploitation of ground water and to ensure equitable distribution of resources to all, ground water control and regulation is being enforced. In 2017-18, 759 permits were issued and 25 numbers of NOC were issued for groundwater extraction for packaged drinking water units.
Major Irrigation Projects and Irrigation Status of Kerala
There are 54 dams in the State. Out of this, 14 dams and 6 barrages are maintained by the Irrigation Department. The live storage of reservoirs under Irrigation Department in the State is estimated as 1431 Mm3. The live storage position of the reservoirs at the beginning and end of the monsoon during the period 2016 to 2018 is shown below:
|
Live Storage Position in the Reservoirs (Mm3)
|
|
Sl. No
|
Item
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
|
1
|
Storage at the beginning of the Monsoon
|
582.04
|
266.24
|
642.57
|
|
2
|
Storage at the end of the Monsoon
|
743.92
|
1111.31
|
1285.73
|
|
3
|
Increase due to Monsoon
|
161.85
|
845.06
|
643.16
|
|
Source: Water Resource Department
|
In 2018, at the beginning of the monsoon (01/06/2018), the total storage was 642.57 Mm3 and at the end of the monsoon October 1, 2018, the level was raised to 1285.73 Mm3, as against the previous year levels of 266.24 Mm3 and 1,111.31 Mm3 respectively. Compared to 2017, the year 2018 is a wet year and hence there is an increase in storage in most of the dams.
The 4 ongoing projects viz., Muvattupuzha, Idamalayar, Karapuzha and Banasurasagar that commenced in 1970s and 1980s, but still continuing with consequent time and cost over runs. The unprecedented delay in implementation is the result of administrative and technical factors.
Categorization of Blocks
As per 2013reports, the assessment units have been categorized as “Over-exploited”, “Critical”, “Semi-critical” or “Safe” on the basis of Stage of Ground Water Development and the long-term decline of average ground water levels in the observations wells in the assessment unit, as per the criteria suggested in GEC-1997 methodology. Decline of ground water levels of 15 cm per year or more has been considered significant in the State while categorizing the blocks. However, in such units where the monsoon recharge has been computed by ad-hoc method on account of the water level data not being representative, categorization has been done primarily on the basis of stage of development and the existing ground situation. Out of 152 assessed units in the State, Chittur block of Palakkad district has been categorized as ‘Over-exploited’ and 2 blocks (Kasargod block of Kasargod district and Malampuzha block of Palakkad district) have been categorized as “Critical”. Out of the remaining blocks, 18blocks are “Semi-critical” and 131 blocks are “Safe”.
Stages of Groundwater Development
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Depth to Water Levels
The depth to water level was monitored from 1006 monitoring wells distributed throughout the State during the months of April, August, November and January. The water level measured during the month of April is taken as pre-monsoon water level and the data of November is taken as post-monsoon water level, on the basis of temporal distribution of long-term rainfall in the State. The depth to water level mostly depends on the hydrogeological conditions of the area as well as topography, rainfall pattern, etc. In coastal plains the depth to water level is generally restricted to 6 mbgl. In midland areas, where the undulating topography is seen, the depth to water level generally varies from near ground level to 25 mbgl. The variation is mostly due to topographical variations, thickness of lateritic overburden etc. In areas where laterites are underlain by sedimentary aquifers of Tertiary age, the water level goes very deep, even to the extent of 55 mbgl. In highlands the depth to water level is in the range of few cm to 10 mbgl depending on the topography and thickness of overburden (weathered zone).
Groundwater Management
The National Water Policy of the Government of India states that the non conventional method for utilization of water such as through artificial recharge to ground water and traditional water conservation practices like rainwater harvesting need to be practiced to increase the utilizable water resources. The rainwater harvesting can be effected by in-situ-Harvesting and artificial recharge to ground water is the process of diverting the surface water into suitable geological formation. The common structures are percolation tanks, khadins, check dam/Anicut, sub-surface dams and injection wells. The ground water storage is the best method for water harvesting as it not only involves filtration of surface but is also safe from evaporation losses, natural catastrophes etc. Central Ground Water Board has implemented various artificial recharge schemes in Kerala like surface dykes, percolation tanks, and of top rainwater harvesting. Four sub-suface dams were constructed at Palghat district (Anaganadi, Bhabaji Nagar, Alanallur and Ottappalam), one at Ernakulam (Odakali), one at Kottayam (Neezhir) one at Quilon (Sandanadapuram) and two at Trivandrum district (Mampazhakara and Ayiolam). Central Ground Water Board has constructed two percolation tanks, one at Chirakulam of Kottayam district and another one at Kadapallam of Kasaragod district. Roof top rainwater harvesting schemes were implemented at two places viz. Ezhimala and Mayyilcolony of Kannur district. The artificial recharge structures have given satisfactory results and the groundwater condition in the area has improved considerably.
Rainwater harvesting is the viable solution in the monsoon rich state of Kerala. The common structures feasible for Kerala are sub-surface dykes, nala bunds, check dams. The traditional water conservation structures like natural ponds, reservoirs should be desilted and cleaned. Participatory watershed development programmes should be implemented in the State. Mass awareness programme on ground water conservation should be arranged at Panchayat level in all districts.
Other Resources:
Apart from rivers and wells sources like tanks, ponds, springs and surangams are also use in Kerala for providing water for drinking as well as irrigation. It is estimated that Kerala has approximately 995tanks and ponds having more than 15000 Mm³ summer storage. Natural springs occurring in the highland regions of Kerala state have the potential to be developed as good sources for drinking water supply and also for limited small scale irrigation, especially in remote and under developed areas. A total of 236 springs have been identified in the state. Kasaragode district in Northern Kerala has 510 special kind of water harvesting structure called Surangams which have >111pm discharge.
Major Irrigation Projects and Irrigation Status of Kerala
Karapuzha Irrigation Project:
Karapuzha Irrigation Project (KIP) is the first medium irrigation project in the Kabini Sub Basin of Cauvery river. Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) has awarded 2.80 TMC of Cauvery water to Karapuzha. Karapuzha Irrigation Project is one of the 99 prioritised projects under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP). This project consists of an earthen dam with concrete spillway across Karapuzha river at Vazhavatta in Vythiri Taluk of Wayanad District for providing irrigation to a net ayacut of 5221 ha Cultivable Command Area (CCA) in Vythiri, Sulthanbathery and Mananthavady taluks of Wayanad District. Reservoir has a gross storage capacity of 76.50 Million Cubic Meter (MCM) with live storage capacity of 72.00 MCM.
This project was approved by Planning Commission in 1978 and administrative sanction was issued for ₹7.60 crore envisaging irrigation to Cultivable Command Area of 5,600 ha with ultimate irrigation potential of 8,721 ha. Karapuzha Irrigation Project was partially commissioned on 20th June 2010. Rectification of two main bottle necks were completed – (1) Rectification of breach in RB main canal at Edakkaravayal Ch. 7673 m-7888 m completed and is ready for water distribution from 2018 onwards (2) Rock portion in Padinjaraveedu branch canal near Ch. 330 m which off takes from the tail end of Left bank Main canal also cleared and connection made between the existing canal on both sides. From March 2017 onwards, water distribution through Left Bank Main Canal is carried out up to 15.30 km in trial basis. 1st phase of tourism project in Karapuzha was completed and the park and garden were opened to the public in June 2017. The present cost of the project is ₹560 crore (as per DSR 2014). The expenditure incurred up to August 31, 2018 is ₹322.69 crore. The total CCA created is 601 ha and the corresponding irrigation potential is 938 ha.
Muvattupuzha Valley Irrigation Project (MVIP):
The Muvattupuzha Valley Irrigation Project (MVIP), one of the major projects in Kerala envisages the utilisation of the tailrace discharge2 from the Moolamattom power House of the Idukki Hydro-Electric Project and the dependable runoff from the catchments of Thodupuzha river. MVIP was started in 1974 with an estimated cost of ₹20.86 crore and was approved by the Planning Commission in June 1983 at an estimated cost of ₹48.08 crore. The project was partially commissioned in 1994. Out of the total ayacut of 35,619 ha, an ayacut of 32,627 ha was created up to August 2018. 100 per cent works of main canal and branches and 90 per cent works of distributaries have been completed. Two works viz., construction of Ezhuthonipadam aqueduct over railway portion and Manjoor distributary pipeline crossing in railway portion has been completed this year. Water distribution will be commenced this year itself, and an ayacut of 1,335 ha can be utilised for irrigation. The estimated cost of the project based on 2015 Delhi Schedule of Rate (DSR) is ₹945.00 crore and the expenditure up to August 31, 2018 is ₹970.58 crore.
Idamalayar Irrigation Project (IIP):
Idamalayar irrigation project (IIP) is a scheme for diverting water of Periyar river for irrigating 14,394 ha of cultivable lands in Periyar and Chalakudy basins. The work commenced in 1981 at an estimated cost of ₹17.85 crore. Main components of the project are – (1) A head regulator across the main canal at its starting point. (2) Canal system consisting of – Main canal (32.278 km), low level canal (27.25 km), and link canal (7.575 km).
Main Canal for a full length of 32.278 km had been completed. Works of low level canal is completed up to 15th km except at MC road crossing (Ch. 10,490 m to 10,599 m) and Railway crossing (Ch. 13,818.5 m to 13,879.50 m). After completing these two works, water distribution is possible upto 15th km of Low level canal which will benefit the agricultural and drinking water need of Angamaly Municipality and Nedumbassery Panchayat. Construction works of link canal is completed from Ch. 445 m to 608 m. The total ayacut achieved is 3,048 ha and the expenditure up to August 31, 2018 is ₹350.83 crore.
Banasurasagar Irrigation Project:
Banasurasagar Irrigation Project is the second irrigation project in Wayanad District. This Irrigation Project is in the Karamanthodu basin which is a tributary of Panamaram river. The project commenced in 1979 to irrigate an area of 2,800 ha (net) agriculture land for the second and third crops in two taluks of Wayanad District.
The main canal is 2.73 km long and there are two branch canals – Padinjarathara branch canal having a length 9.030 km and Venniyode branch canal with a length of 5.390 km. Of the total main canal, 2,360 m canal works were completed. Works of both branch canals – Padinjarathara and Venniyode are in progress. The revised estimate of the project as per 2016 DSR is ₹165.98 crore and the total expenditure up to August 31, 2018 is ₹59. 18 crore. Table 1, Table 2.
The overall performance of the major and medium irrigation sector during the initial years was not encouraging. The cumulative area brought under irrigation through major and medium irrigation projects is 29346 hectares (gross). The details of the progress of implementation of ongoing projects as on March 2010 are given below.
Irrigation Status: As per the assessment of the Directorate of Economics and Statistics the net irrigated area in the state as on March 2010, is 3.86 lakh ha. and the gross area irrigated is 4.54 lakh ha. The net area irrigated has declined from 3.99 lakh ha during 2008-09 to 3.86 lakh ha in 2009-10. Only 16.34 per cent of the net cropped area is irrigated. The percentage of net area irrigated to net area has declined and percentage of gross irrigated area to gross cropped area records a slight increase during the year compared to the last year. During 2009-10 the net irrigated area registered a decline of 10.75 per cent and gross irrigated area by 0.64 percent compared to the previous year. During 2009-10, among the crops, paddy tops among the major crop supported by irrigation. It accounted for about 37 per cent followed by coconut (33%), banana (8%), arecanut (8%) and vegetables (4%) is given here.
The source-wise area irrigated as on March 2013 is given here . As per the assessment of the Directorate of Economics and Statistics the net irrigated area in the state as on March 2013, is 3.96 lakh ha. and the gross area irrigated is 4.58 lakh ha. There is a decrease of 3.2 percent in the net irrigated area of the state in compared to the previous year of 2011-12. Gross irrigated area also decreased 6.7 percent during the period. Gross irrigated area to Gross Cropped Area in the period is 17.67 percent. During 2012-13, among the crops, coconut tops among the major crop supported by irrigation. It accounted for about 36 percent followed by paddy 32 percent, banana 10 percent, arecanut 8 percent and vegetable 4 percent. Details are given here. There has been a good progress in irrigated area under vegetable cultivation during the year and also an increase in the area under irrigation for banana cultivation compared to the previous year.
The source wise irrigation status as on March 2014 and 2015 are given here[PDF1, PDF2]. As per the assessment of the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, the net irrigated area in the State as on March 2015, is 4.14 lakh ha. and the gross area irrigated is 4.69 lakh ha. The percentage of increase is not significant compared to the previous year. During 2014-15, the percentage of Gross Irrigated Area to Gross Cropped Area was 17.80. The crop which benefitted the most during the period is coconut. It accounted for about 35.18 percent followed by paddy (32 percent), banana (10.19 percent), arecanut (7.2 percent) and vegetable (5.21 per cent). The details are given here. There has been an increase in irrigated area for vegetable cultivation during 2014-15 compared to the previous year.
Source-wise net irrigated area in 2017-18 is given below:
|
Net Area Irrigated (Source wise) (in ha.)
|
|
Sl. No.
|
Source
|
2015-16
|
2016-17
|
2017-18
|
|
1
|
Government canals
|
88817
|
63403
|
76761
|
|
2
|
Private canals
|
774
|
932
|
612
|
|
3
|
Tanks
|
48459
|
49657
|
49773
|
|
4
|
Wells
|
133529
|
122478
|
123115
|
|
5
|
Other sources
|
142254
|
141291
|
141745
|
|
6
|
Total
|
413833
|
377761
|
392006
|
|
7
|
Gross irrigated area
|
483648
|
497386
|
539874
|
|
8
|
Net area irrigated to net area sown (%)
|
20.45
|
18.74
|
19.21
|
|
9
|
Gross irrigated area to gross cropped area (%)
|
18.4
|
19.25
|
20.92
|
|
10
|
Irrigated area under paddy to total irrigated area (%)
|
31.12
|
26.35
|
26.93
|
|
Source: Directorate of Economics & Statistics
|
Net Area Irrigated (Source-wise) 2017-18(in ha) ig siven here.
The net irrigated area has fluctuated during the period 2015-16 to 2017-18. The net irrigated area that was 4.13 lakh ha in 2015-16, declined to 3.77 lakh ha in 2016-17 and showed an increase of 4 per cent to 3.92 lakh ha in 2017-18. During the period under review, wells contributed the major source of irrigation benefiting 1.23 lakh ha followed by irrigation canals which served an area of 0.76 lakh ha.
The gross irrigated area increased from 4.83 lakh ha in 2015-16 to 4.97 lakh ha in 2016-17 and further showed an increase of 8.4 per cent to 5.39 lakh in 2017-18. Details of Gross Irrigated area and the crops benefited out of this are given here.
|
Gross Area Irrigated (Crop-wise) (in ha.)
|
|
Sl. No
|
Crops
|
2015-16
|
2016-17
|
2017-18
|
|
1
|
Paddy
|
150516
|
131063
|
145398
|
|
2
|
Vegetables
|
39306
|
25407
|
24348
|
|
3
|
Coconut
|
165650
|
159949
|
158965
|
|
4
|
Areca nut
|
34127
|
32489
|
32610
|
|
5
|
Nutmeg
|
18426
|
18990
|
19319
|
|
6
|
Clove
|
237
|
521
|
138
|
|
7
|
Banana
|
46754
|
44841
|
48632
|
|
8
|
Betel leaves
|
333
|
261
|
252
|
|
9
|
Sugarcane
|
1143
|
1063
|
1048
|
|
10
|
Others
|
27156
|
82802
|
109164
|
|
Total
|
483648
|
497386
|
539874
|
|
Source: Directorate of Economics & Statistics
|
Among the crops, coconut is most benefited due to irrigation (1.58 lakh ha) followed by paddy (1.45 lakh ha) and banana (0.48 lakh ha). A comparison with 2016-17 data shows that, the extent of area irrigated for coconut decreased from 1.59 lakh ha to 1.58 lakh ha while that of paddy increased from 1.31 lakh ha to 1.45 lakh ha in 2017-18. The irrigated area for banana increased from 0.44 lakh ha in 2016-17 to 0.48 lakh ha in 2017-18. Thus, the gross irrigated area to gross cropped area increased from 18.4 per cent in 2015-16 to 19.25 per cent in 2016-17 and further increased to 20.92 per cent in 2017-18.
Ramsar sites in Kerala | National Wetland Atlas [ Wetlands of International Importance under Ramsar Convention] | National Wetland Atlas of Kerala | Ramsar Sites Information Service
Source:Economic Review 2009-18