New Delhi: Farmers in parts of Leh are set to benefit from improved irrigation after Ladakh constructed its first rock check dam across the Indus River at Upshi, marking a significant step towards making greater use of available water resources in the Union Territory.
The structure has been built by placing naturally available boulders across the river without using cement. The intervention has raised the water level by around 10 feet, allowing water to be diverted into agricultural fields through the Igoo Phey irrigation canal.
The project addresses a persistent challenge faced by farmers during the spring sowing season. Water levels in the Indus can fall considerably during this period, making it difficult to operate pumps, particularly in areas where the river flows through deep gorges. The reduced access to water has affected cultivation in several farming areas.
The new check dam has an estimated storage capacity of around 40 million litres, providing an additional water source that can be channelled towards nearby village fields. The increased water level is expected to make irrigation more dependable during critical periods of agricultural activity.
The project also comes as India has placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, putting greater attention on the utilisation and management of the Indus river system within Indian territory.
The Upshi structure is part of a broader plan by the Ladakh administration to develop additional water retention infrastructure along the Indus. Several projects are already under construction, while more are being planned.
A proposal submitted to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti seeks approval for 36 check dams across Ladakh. Seven Himalayan rock check dams have been proposed in Leh, while 29 reinforced concrete check dams or weirs are planned for Kargil.
The proposed projects are estimated to cost more than Rs 56 crore and are aimed at strengthening irrigation and water management across the high altitude region.
