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Indira Gandhi Canal (Nahar) Command Area

Indira Gandhi Canal, previously known as Rajasthan canal, is one of the largest canal systems in India. The canal originates at Harike barrage in Punjab and runs parallel to Pakistan border at an average distance of 40 km in Thar Desert (Marusthali) of Rajasthan. The construction work of the canal system has been carried out through two stages. The command area of stage- I lies in Ganganagar, Hanumangarh and northern part of Bikaner districs. It has a cultural command area of 5.53 lakh hactares. The command area of stage - II is spread over Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur and Churu districts covering culturable command area of 14.10 lakh hectares.

The introduction of canal irrigation in this dry land has transformed its ecology, economy and society. It has influenced the environmental conditions of the region both positively as well as negatively. The availability of soil moisture for a longer period of time and various afforestation and pasture development programmes under CAD have resulted in greening the land. This also helped in reducing wind erosion and siltation of canal systems. But the intensive irrigation and excessive use of water has led to the emergence of twin environmental problems of waterlogging and soil salinity. Introduction of canal irrigation has brought about a perceptible transformation in the agricultural economy of the region. Soil moisture has been a limiting factor in a successful growing of crops in this area. Spread of canal irrigation has led to increase in cultivated area and intensity of cropping. This has also caused waterlogging and soil salinity, and thus, in the long run, it hampers the sustainability of agriculture.

The canal runs parallel to which neighbouring country?

Pakistan

The canal originates at Harike barrage in Punjab and runs parallel to Pakistan border at an average distance of 40 km in Thar Desert (Marusthali) of Rajasthan.