Irrigation in Bihar :- Brief History

Bihar once used to be the famed kingdom of Magadh. The agriculture yields were primarily good because of the prevalent traditional system of irrigation that contributed to Magadh's prosperity.
The present-day scenario, however, is dismal, as many places falling in Patna and Gaya region are facing shortage of water.
Bihar primarily has an agriculture-based economy and society. And, today it is facing a double whammy-a drought like situation and the specter of food shortage.

There could be an estimated shortage of more than 60% in rice production. The Kharif crop has been battered during the lack of rain this summer and all hopes were fixed on the Rabi crop towards the winter months to turn the tide in a sector which has been going steadily downhill.

But sadly one crop cycle, however promising it is touted as, does not naturally offset the damage of a precious cycle. On the contrary, there are some systemic, climatic factors which remain, factors which caused the failure of the preceding agricultural cycle.
Bihar is largely agricultural yet it is largely rain-fed agriculture. It has a fair amount of rain as compared to other States yet it has poor irrigational facilities in comparison to many others.
The ancestors used to harvest the rainwater, as it would both fulfill the immediate needs for drinking and irrigation. But, more importantly, it would conserve the level of groundwater literally for posterity; for future generations to reap the benefits.

What today are drought-hit districts, there existed a rich tradition of irrigation where water from rivers was fetched to fields through Paeen (small nullahs) and Aahar (a pond-like place where water is stored).
Paeen was used to water fields on both sides and Aahar was used to supply water to drought-hit lands. Between them was a perfect 'water-tight' system to ensure that irrigation facilities covered the sown fields.

In the modern context, however, consecutive State governments have either been ignorant or chosen to remain so, of the traditional irrigation systems devaluing its promise and denying the people its potential to bring prosperity and make agriculture yields turn their fortunes around.
In Bihar, where 75 per cent of its population lives on agriculture, only 50-60 per cent of land is covered by irrigation facilities. There is a heavy dependency on tube-wells, which in turn, are dependent on electricity, which is in short supply. There is also the high cost of diesel for running the tube-wells. It is a vicious circle which makes irrigation, nothing more than a pipe-dream for farmers.
There are six major sources of irrigation — surface canals (major), surface canals (minor), tanks (including ahars and pynes), tubewells, other wells and other sources.
Tanks and other sources are becoming less important over time, leaving the other four sources for providing irrigation facilities to agricultural operations. In 2009-10, canals (major and minor) provided 27.47 percent and tubewells provided 61.39 percent of total irrigation.
Sourcewise tubewells are an extremely important source of irrigation, providing more than 50 percent of the total irrigation in 30 districts. However, irrigation from surface canals (both major and minor) plays an important part in no less than 8 districts – Rohtas, Kaimur, Bhojpur, Buxar, Aurangabad, Banka, Munger and Lakhisarai. In each of these districts, surface canals provide more than 50 percent of the irrigation facilities. All these 8 districts are notable rice producing districts of Bihar.

A report by the Water and Land Management Institute, Patna :

This report by the Water and Land Management Institute, Patna traces the history of irrigation in Bihar through the ancient, British and Pre-plan period. Irrigation is being practiced there since ancient times dating back to Kautilya, who lived in Patliputra (now Patna), which was the capital of the mighty Mauryan empire (400 BC). Kautilya had laid down the principles on rainfall and irrigation in his famous book Kautilya Arthasashtra.
The report traces the history of irrigation in the ancient period through various sources since written documents are not readily available and inscriptions are rarely to be found. The pieces of information have been collected from going through the manuscripts of eminent engineers like C H Dickens, W A Inglis, F H Rundall, H C Levinge, R B Buckley and others whose contributions have enriched the science of hydraulics through centuries. Some of the names and formulae are relevant even today.
In Bihar the history of irrigation can be traced long back but one could find the systematic written documents from the early British period only. Sone canals, Teur canals, Saran canal, Dhaka Canal, Triveni canal and Kharagpur Irrigation Works are some of the earliest milestones on the path of scientific development of water resources in the State of Bihar.
Stories of the development of science of hydraulics and their application in old irrigation works have been narrated in this book. The old times are helpful in bringing out the old stories but their memories sometimes fall them as regards exactness of date and sequence of events. Existing structures and works tell their tale themselves but planners and engineers are obliged to alter, reshape, remodel or sometimes remove the old structures in toto to make room for the new ones to meet the increased demand. This has happened in Bihar where new projects have replaced the old ories or the old canals have been made the part of new larger system.
The report also records the passing of the new comprehensive and consolidated Irrigation bill in 1996 by the Bihar Legislature incorporating new concepts in the field of irrigation and repealing the old and defunct Irrigation Acts prevailing in the state since 1864. It also presents maps which depict the location of old irrigation projects constructed before Independence as also the numerous major and medium schemes which have since been implemented.