Environmental Impacts of Irrigation Projects

Abstract

With the increasing population of the world, the area of irrigated agriculture will have to be increased in order to provide food and work for the people. Data presented at the World Food Conference held in Rome in 1974 indicated that new irrigation programs should provide water for additional 23,000,000 hectares in 10 years. Many new irrigation projects will have to be undertaken and run‐down systems will have to be rehabilitated and properly maintained, primarily in the developing countries to meet the needs of additional irrigated agriculture. Degradation of land by waterlogging and salinity is a common by‐produtft of irrigation. The extension of irrigation can also carry with it the increased threat of health hazards particularly due to the diseases of malaria and schistosomiasis. This paper reviews the environmental impacts of irrigation projects with particular reference to developing countries. It also suggests guidelines at the formulation stage of irrigation projects for minimizing their adverse effects on the environment. Some relevant policy issues for irrigation development have been identified.