Ladakh proposes 36 check dams to irrigate 18,600 acres, awaits Centre's nod

The Ladakh administration has submitted a proposal to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for the construction of 36 check dams to strengthen water availability and expand irrigation potential in the Union Territory. The proposal, submitted on Sunday, seeks inclusion under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and is currently awaiting the ministry's consideration and approval.

According to the detailed project report, the proposal includes seven Himalayan rock check dams in Leh district and 29 reinforced cement concrete (RCC) check dams in Kargil district. The estimated cost of the project is more than Rs 56 crore. These structures are expected to irrigate more than 18,600 acres of cultivable land, a significant step towards addressing the region's chronic water shortage during the agricultural season.

Check dams are low-cost structures built across streams and rivers to slow down water flow, facilitating groundwater recharge and water storage. They are particularly suited to mountainous terrain where large reservoirs are not feasible. In Ladakh, such structures will help capture the seasonal flow of glacial meltwater, which otherwise runs off quickly during the summer months.

Ladakh, often described as a cold desert, is endowed with abundant glacier and snowmelt resources. However, vast stretches of its cultivable land have historically faced acute irrigation shortages. The administration noted that currently, less than one percent of the total annual snow and glacial meltwater is utilised. The proposed check dams will create an average storage capacity of 25-30 million litres of water in shallow stretches of rivers, allowing better conservation and distribution of water for farming.

Agriculture in Ladakh is largely confined to the short summer season, with crops like barley, wheat, apples and apricots depending on meltwater from glaciers and snow. The timing and availability of water during the peak growing season is critical for farmers, who often face water stress due to the region's arid climate and limited rainfall.

The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, under which the proposal has been submitted, is a flagship programme of the Government of India aimed at enhancing water use efficiency and expanding irrigation coverage. It promotes 'per drop more crop' through sustainable water management practices, including micro-irrigation and water harvesting structures.

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena said that recent initiatives, including the diversion of around 90 million litres of glacier water from Stok Nallah into the Igoo-Phey Canal and Chushot village canal, demonstrated how simple, cost-effective and environmentally suitable interventions could 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," he added.

The administration further stated that such check dams have shown durability and resistance to increasing water flows, making them a reliable solution in the face of changing climatic conditions. The proposal is part of a broader effort to conserve water resources and ensure sustainable agricultural development in the Union Territory.

The Jal Shakti Ministry's decision on the proposal is awaited. If approved, the project could serve as a model for other Himalayan regions facing similar water challenges, officials said.