The ecological sustainability of the Indira Gandhi Canal Project has been questioned by various scholars. Their point of view has also largely been validated by the course of development this region has taken during the last four decades, which has resulted in the degradation of the physical environment. It is a hard fact that attaining sustainable development in the command area requires major thrust upon the measures to achieve ecological sustainability. Hence, five of the seven measures proposed to promote sustainable development in the command area are meant to restore ecological balance.

The introduction of canal irrigation in Rajasthan has led to the emergence of which of the following environmental problems:

a- Soil salinity

b- Animal attacks

c- Afforestation 

d- Expansion of desert

e- Waterlogging

a and e

The introduction of canal irrigation in this dry land (Rajasthan) 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 has also helped in reducing wind erosion and siltation of canal systems. But the intensive irrigation and excessive use of water have led to the emergence of twin environmental problems of waterlogging and soil salinity.