India inaugurates first rock check dam in Ladakh to enhance water security for farmers
India’s first rock check dam opens in Ladakh: Watch breathtaking blue paradise photos and video of Indus water at 11,000 feet
Image: The Economic Times
The first rock check dam in India has been inaugurated on the Indus River in Leh, Ladakh, as part of the 'Sindhu Jal Samriddhi Abhiyan'. This eco-friendly structure aims to improve water availability for agriculture in the region, addressing water scarcity challenges faced by local farmers.
- 01The rock check dam is built using 180 metric tonnes of riverbed stones, designed to slow river flow and create a water storage area.
- 02It measures 200 feet in length and can store approximately 40 million litres of water, benefiting farmers in the area.
- 03The project was completed in seven days at an altitude of 11,400 feet, costing around ₹10 lakh (approximately $12,000 USD).
- 04Following this initiative, three more check dams are planned to further enhance water security in Ladakh.
- 05The administration also launched a separate ecological restoration drive in Leh to reclaim 800 acres of degraded land using freshwater from the Igoo-Phey Canal.
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Ladakh has unveiled India's first rock check dam on the banks of the Indus River in Leh, marking a significant step towards improving agricultural water availability in this cold desert region. Launched by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, the dam is part of the 'Sindhu Jal Samriddhi Abhiyan', designed as a sustainable and cost-effective solution to combat water scarcity. Constructed using 180 metric tonnes of riverbed stones, the dam measures 200 feet in length and is capable of storing approximately 40 million litres of water, creating a pondage area of nearly 500 metres upstream. Completed in just seven days at an altitude of 11,400 feet, the project cost around ₹10 lakh (approximately $12,000 USD). Encouraged by this success, the administration plans to build three additional check dams. This initiative coincides with another ecological restoration project in Leh aimed at revitalizing 800 acres of degraded land, further supporting sustainable agriculture in the region.
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The rock check dam is expected to significantly improve water availability for farmers in Ladakh, addressing critical irrigation needs.
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