Social and Institutional Factors Influencing the Performance of Tank Irrigation System – A Study of Uthiramerur Tank in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu

Aim: Tanks were the major sources of irrigation for agriculture and storehouses of economic, social, aesthetic and environmental use values. However, in the present context, the current trends are showing that area and number of tanks are being reduced due to poor maintenance, encroachments, degradation of catchment area and siltation, etc. This calls for rehabilitation and rejuvenation of the existing tank irrigation systems so as to preserve this precious natural resource for the livelihood of future generations ahead. Hence this present study was undertaken to identify the social and institutional factors influencing the performance of tank systems in Kanchipuram district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Study Design: Quota and Multistage random sampling method was followed.

Place and Duration of Study: Command and Non-command areas of the Uthiramerur Tank in Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu during 2020-2021.

Methodology: A Sample size of 120 sample respondents from the different locations of the command areas (Head, Middle, Tail and Non-command area) of Uthiramerur tank were selected and interviewed.

Results: It was observed from the performance analysis that over the years the tank’s performance was decreasing both in terms of filled in capacity vis-à-vis rainfall received (Above the tank outlet) and in terms of actual gross area irrigated vis-à-vis its potential command area (Below the tank outlet) . One of the important reasons for the decline in the performance of Uthiramerur tank was attributed mainly to institutional deficiencies wherein concrete action lacked thereof.

Conclusion: The study suggested the following actions for the improvement of tank’s performance- streamlining the feeding channels of the tank by removing the encroachments, lining of channels to minimize the seepage losses and ensuring better water distribution, periodic desiltation ,strengthening the revenue collection mechanisms, encouraging the conjunctive water use and rejuvenating the water user association.