Irrigation Department Uttarakhand

About Us

“The earth, the air, the land and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers but on loan from our children. So we have to handover to them at least as it was handed over to us.”

— Mahatma Gandhi

Water is a priceless gift of nature. Without water one cannot imagine the existence of life or civilization. That’s why the only reason why our ancestors chose to live where the water was available easily. Since ancient civilizations, development of the society is based on water. Every human civilization always got established near any water resource body. Since very beginning of civilization, India emerged as an agricultural country. Even today around 75% of population of the country is dependent over agriculture. For the best outcome of agriculture, irrigation is one of the most important process. In India, rainfall varies from areas and time. Due to insufficient rain or no rainfall, a long history of drought had been noticed in the country. In the year 1770, a severe drought has been noticed in lower Bengal and Bihar, due to which a huge population of State faced unexpected crisis and get demolished. In year 1837, the severe drought of 19th century was noticed in Northern India, due to which society faced crisis and one third civilization get ruined. The incident grabbed the attention of British Government and Govt. decided to create perennial canals across the state, which would help in overcoming the crisis of agriculture. During British era, a number of canal systems came into force. Lieutenant Blane, Lieutenant Debiued, Colonel P.Cautley are the few names who contributed in the field of Irrigation of India.Before independence, the Irrigation Department, formed in 1823, was basically involved in Irrigation works.