KARIMNAGAR: In order to locate and develop minor irrigation sources towards providing adequate irrigation to crops, the district administration will be conducting a census of all the minor irrigation sources in the district, led by district collector Neetu Prasad, who is also the chairperson of the district coordination committee of the 5th Phase minor irrigation census.
The 4th phase of the minor irrigation census was held in 2006-07. For every five years similar census is done by the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India. “Presently, we are conducting census for 2013-14,” officials sources said.
“We started the census in the district in the first week of May and it will be continue till June 15,” deputy statistical officer, PB Srinivas told Express and added that the VROs and the Village Revenue Assistants have also been participating in the census at village-level.
“We are collecting data from the farmers regarding the number of surface irrigation and minor irrigation facilities and how much ayacut is available under these two types of water sources,” he said.
Srinivas said according to preliminary census reports, while the number of borewells are on the rise the number of agriculture wells is dwindling and no new tanks are being dug.
Officials said, the aim of the census is to recognise potential water sources for farming sector and prepare an action plan to ensure alternative means of irrigation.