Irrigation plays significant role in transforming the agricultural activity and the rural livelihood. Thus the present research aims to assess the growth of irrigated area under different sources of irrigation, along with the consideration of methods of ¬irrigation applied changes in source of irrigation and intensity of irrigation in the Panchaganga Basin. The selected region for the present investigation is the 'Panchaganga Basin' of south Maharashtra state comprising 7 tahsils of Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. For the present investigation, data regarding area under irrigation with different sources has been compiled from Socio-Economic Review and District Statistical Abstracts of Kolhapur District, 1971- 75 and 2001-05 and supported by intensive field trips. It is noteworthy increased the area under the irrigation in the study region throughout the period under review. The area under well irrigation has increased by 46158 hectors and lift by 6950 hectors. The intensity of irrigation is about 25.1%. During the period under review it increased by 9.2%. The various sources of irrigation bring changes in attitude of the farmers and adopted the new and scientific techniques for the agricultural development.

1. IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT IN
PANCHGANGA BASIN (MAHARASHTRA):
A GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
Dr. M. N. Survase – Asst. Professor, Hon. Annasaheb Dange College, Hatkanangle
Dr. A. V. Pore- Asst. Professor, Balwant College, Vita, Dist. Sangli.
Dr. C. T. Pawar, Former Prof. & Head, Dept. of Geography, Shivaji University,
Kolhapur.

2. Introduction
• Irrigation; integral part of sound infrastructure.
• Helps to adopt scientific techniques.
• Create new opportunities for gainful employment.
• Controlled by the physiographic and climatic conditions.
• Adequate irrigation facilities transforms the subsistence
agricultural landscape into commercial one.
• Overuse deteriorates the soil conditions & soil becoming saline
and alkaline.

3. Objectives
• To assess the growth of irrigated area under different
sources of irrigation, along with the consideration of
methods of irrigation applied changes in source of irrigation
and intensity of irrigation in the study area.

4. Study Region
• The selected region for the
present investigation is the
'Panchganga Basin' of south
Maharashtra state.
• 7 tahsils & 45752.2sq.km area.
• River valley flood plains to the
east and hill ranges to the west.
• Laterite, brownish & black
soils.

5. Database and Methodology
• Socio-Economic Review and District Statistical Abstracts of
Kolhapur District, 1971- 75 and 2001-05
• Supported by intensive field trips.
• The analyzed data represented in to map and tabular format.
• Data of 1971- 75 and 2001-05 compared for the identification of
change.
• The intensity of irrigation and its changes for better analysis of
irrigation development.

6. Sources of Irrigations

7. Sources of Irrigations…
• The sources affected by the geological, physical and climatic conditions.
• well and lift with dominancy of individual in particular parts of the
region.
• lift ranked first and well ranked second during 1971-75.
• At present the first position of lift is replaced by well irrigation.
• lift irrigation is confined to the southern, eastern and north eastern
parts;
• whereas the well irrigation is widespread to the central part of the
region.

8. Well Irrigation

9. Well Irrigation…
• Occupying 67.1 per cent of the total irrigated area.
• The high proportion of area under well irrigation in Hatkangale,
Karveer and Panhala tahsils is due to favorable status of ground
water.
• It increased by 46,158 hectares and increased its share by 40.4
per cent.
• Remarkable increase in well irrigation in Shahuwadi, Gagan
Bawada and Panhala tahsils. Radhanagri and Karveer tahsils.

10. Lift Irrigation

11. Lift Irrigation
• Widely spread throughout in the Panchaganga basin.
• Shares about 32.8 per cent of total irrigated area.
• increased by 6,950 hectares
• Three-fourth of its irrigated area is irrigated by lifts.
• Dominant in southern, eastern and north eastern part of the region.
• Co-operative lift irrigation societies and co-operative sugar factories
are also responsible for the steady growth of lift irrigation

12. Intensity of Irrigation

13. Intensity of Irrigation
• It is about 25.1 percent and increased by 9.2 per cent during the period under
review
• It is related to topography as well as socio-economic conditions.
• very high (above 30 per cent) intensity is noted in Hatkangale and Shirol
tahsils.
• moderate intensity (20 to 30 per cent) is concentrated in the Karveer, Gagan
Bawada, Radhanagri and Shahuwadi tahsils.
• physical situation have restricted the intensity (below 20 percent) in the
Panhala tahsil.
• the hilly tahsils namely Shahuwadi, Gagan Bawada & Radhanagri have
represented moderate intensity

14. Conclusions
• During the period under investigation, the irrigation
development has shown significant change.
• The area under well irrigation has increased by 46158 hectors
which is relatively high up to 40 percent than the other sources.
• In Shahuwadi, Gaganbawada and Panhala noted over 50% and
Radhanagari and Karveer between 30 to 50%.
• The area under lift irrigation has increased by 6950 hectors but
comparatively less than well.

15. Conclusions
• The intensity of irrigation is about 25.1%. During the period
under review it increased by 9.2%.
• The rate of increase is high in lower part than upper Panchganga
Basin.
• The various sources of irrigation brings changes in attitude of
the farmers and adopted the new and scientific techniques for
the agricultural development.