Indira Gandhi Canal is the longest canal of India. It was constructed to help change the barren regions of the North western Rajasthan and to serve as a source of irrigation and drinking water. Its foundation is based in the Harike Barrage near Punjab and derives water on the Sutlej and Beas rivers. It spans across seven districts and it has extensively developed farms, industry and settlement within the desert. Even though it is advantageous, it has had undesirable environmental implications such as soil salinity and ecological imbalance.

Key Highlights for RAS Mains

About Indira Gandhi Canal

• The long alluvial canal of India in India, the Indira Gandhi Canal was formerly referred to as the Rajasthan Canal constructed originatively to irrigate the deserted part in the north western foot of the state of Rajasthan. 
• It was inaugurated in 1952 and completed in 2010, the name was given-up in 1984, after the Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi died in 1984.

Key Features of India Gandhi Canal

• Length: The whole 650km (Main canal -445km, Feeder -204km)
• Source of rivers: Sutlej and Beas
• Habitat: Harike Barrage(Punjab)
• Coverage: Serves 7 districts of Rajasthan namely Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Barmer, Jodhpur and Churu.

Objectives

• To put irrigation to the Thar Desert.
• To bring drinking water to the water shortage areas.
• In order to enhance agricultural and economic growth.

Benefits

• Irrigation: Irrigates an area of about 12.58 lakhs of hectares.
• Water Drinking: Made water reach 8 districts in the western part of Rajasthan.
• Factors of Production: Agricultural Growth made possible multiple cropping, and even industries that relied on agro industries.
• Industrial Development: This resulted in the creation of urban centres and markets.
• Animal Husbandry: There was easy access to fodder, which enhanced the livelihood of livestock.
• Environmental Advantages: Increasing cover of forests and grazing areas.
• Hydro electric: Micro-hydel on Suratgarh and Anupghar branches.
• Social Upliftment: More settlements, work-places and per capita income.
• Desert Control: Assisted in curbing desertification and utilization of barren lands.

Challenges

• Ecological Imbalance: Loss of native wildlife; rise in the number of predatory species such as nilgai and wild boar that are able to destroy crops.
• Birds migration: New species have changed the ecosystem.
• Environmental Issues: Increase in the problem of water logging and soil salinity caused by conceptional-irrigation.
• Habitat Disturbance: Special floral and faunal habitat are at stake.

Conclusion

Indira Gandhi Canal is one of the landmark engineering and development projects in the sense that it once allowed the dry desert belt state of Rajasthan to be converted into fertile lands. In spite of its problems, it remains a very important source of agriculture, drinking water supply, and development of the region and has greatly benefited the lives of millions of people in western India.