HISTORY

The department of Irrigation came into force on the 14th December 1949 after separating out from Public Works Department of Rajasthan State. Irrigation Department is moving into Information Technology Era orienting its objectives around Change, Efficiency and Users. Change is the root of all progress. In tune with changing times, the Department is driving change in terms of water resource management systems and knowledge management. In the Department, change is the only constant. It has initiated changes not only at the water resource management level but also at organizational level. A continuous modernization program is at various levels that modernizes the Department's outlook matching it to its state-of-the-art services. Efficiency is the ultimate top line. Efficient resource utilization in terms of water, land and Engineers is resulting in efficiency throughput. The User is the ultimate beneficiary for the Department. The Irrigation Department of Rajasthan is extending relationships of participation in their services with users - thus capturing their trust and cooperation.

At the time of independence there was 1 major project, 43 medium and 2272 minor projects and the irrigation potential was only 4 lac ha. Hence after independence the state irrigation department was formed in 1949 with the objective of increasing the production of the food and fodder and to establish a suitable irrigation system to control the losses due to drought and flood. With this objective many projects were taken up by the department to increase the irrigation potential. 

Rajasthan accounts for 10.41% geographical area of the country ,5.5 % of total population and 2/3^rd part is desert. State is divided into 16 basins, out of which only two basins (Chambal & Mahi) are having sufficient rainfall and yield.

There are 33 districts in Rajasthan as shown above.

FUNCTIONS

1. Construction of major, medium and minor irrigation projects, operation and maintenance of existing tanks, canals and other irrigation structures are the prime function of the Irrigation Department.
2. Flood control measures and floods related remedial measures are also assigned to the Irrigation Department.
3. Construction of irrigation structures under various special schemes like PMKSY, MJSA, AIBP, JICA etc. are entrusted to the Irrigation department.
4. Collection of revenue pertaining to sale of water from tanks irrigating more than 1000 ha. of land is done by the Irrigation Department. However, collection of irrigation charges in respect of tanks Engineering irrigating less than 1000 ha. is assigned to the Patwaries of the Revenue Department.
5. Department is also doing Investigation, Design and Research work Under its unit ID&R.
6. Construction and maintenance of the rest houses of irrigation department, office buildings, residential buildings of the staff, gardens, parks, roads etc.
7. The cadre strength of Irrigation and Indira Gandhi Nahar Organisation are being managed by the Irrigation Department.

SURFACE WATER

The combined availability of surface water in Rajasthan is 43.26 BCM. The surface water available within the state boundary is 25.38 BCM and the water allocated from various interstate treaties is 17.88 BCM. The total surface water availability is 1.16% of the national resources.

The present status of Water Resources Department is as:

   Particulars                     No.            Capacity (in Mcum)

1. Major Tanks                      24                6296.48

2. Medium Tanks                   84                2133.34

3. Minor  Tanks                  3331               3455.38  

4. WHS                            74271               2942.29

    Total                         77710              14827.49

Total CCA of  Major/Medium/Minor Tanks/ WHS is 1754608 Ha.

GROUND WATER

The total ground water availability is 1.72% of the national resources. There are 249 blocks out of which only 31 blocks are in safe condition.

RAINFALL

Aerial distribution of district wise average rainfall in the state varies from 158.0 mm in Jaisalmer to 968.0 mm in Sirohi.