Which one among the following are measures for promotion of sustainab…

Which one among the following are measures for promotion of sustainable development of Indira Gandhi Canal?

A. Strict implementation of water management policy.

B. Cropping pattern shall include water-intensive crops.

C. The areas affected by waterlogging and soil salinity shall be reclaimed.

D. Social sustainability can be achieved through providing adequate financial support to landholders having a poor economic background.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 1

The correct answer is Option (1) → A, C and D only

A. Strict implementation of water management policy. Correct. Intensive irrigation and excessive use of water in the command area have led to waterlogging and soil salinity. Strict water management — protective irrigation in Stage-I, irrigation of crops and pasture development in Stage-II — keeps water use within limits, so the land is not spoiled; that is why it is the first requirement.

B. Cropping pattern shall include water-intensive crops. Incorrect. The cropping pattern shall not include water intensive crops, which would only add to waterlogging.

C. The areas affected by waterlogging and soil salinity shall be reclaimed. Correct. Land that is waterlogged or salty can no longer grow crops. Reclaiming it brings it back into use and helps restore ecological balance in the command area.

D. Social sustainability can be achieved through providing adequate financial support to landholders having a poor economic background. Correct. A poor allottee given canal land may not be able to meet the cost of cultivating it, and the land would then lie idle. With adequate financial and institutional support, such landholders can farm it and share in the gains of irrigation, so social sustainability can be achieved only in this way.

NCERT (2025-26): “Measures for Promotion of Sustainable Development … 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.

(i) The first requirement is strict implementation of water management policy. The canal project envisages protective irrigation in Stage-I and extensive irrigation of crops and pasture development in Stage-II.
(ii) In general, the cropping pattern shall not include water intensive crops. It shall be adhered to and people shall be encouraged to grow plantation crops such as citrus fruits.
(iii) The CAD programmes such as lining of water courses, land development and levelling and warabandi system (equal distribution of canal water in the command area of outlet) shall be effectively implemented to reduce the conveyance loss of water.
(iv) The areas affected by water logging and soil salinity shall be reclaimed.
(v) The eco-development through afforestation, shelterbelt plantation and pasture development is necessary particularly in the fragile environment of Stage-II.
(vi) The social sustainability in the region can be achieved only if the land allottees having poor economic background are provided adequate financial and institutional support for cultivation of land.
(vii) The economic sustainability in the region cannot be attained only through development of agriculture and animal husbandry. The agricultural and allied activities have to develop alongwith other sectors of economy. This shall lead to diversification of economic base and establishment of functional linkages between basic villages, agro-service centres and market centres.”