50 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(c) Feeder canal of 1,133 cusecs or 40,000 cusecs carrying capacity and 38.38 km-long
taking off from the head regulator on the right-side of the Faraka Barrage, tailing-
off into the Bhagirathi below Jangipur Barrage;
(d) Navigation works such as locks, channels, shelter navigation lights and other
infrastructures.VARIOUS DAMS IN THE COUNTRY AND BENEFITS THEREFROM
(1) Damodar River Valley Project
Damodar River Valley Project serves several objectives. This huge dam is, in fact, a
series of small dams built on a river and its tributaries, serves as man-made lake that is
now able to impound huge amount of rain water. In this way, it helps in flood control and
soil protection. This water is used for irrigation during dry periods. Since catchments areas
of dam are afforested, there is available additional wild land that helps to preserve ecosytems.
The water stored here is used for power generation i.e. hydle power or hydro-electricity.
These projects also provide for inland water navigation, cheapest means of transport for
heavy goods. They are also used to develop fish hatcheries and nurseries.
Damodar Valley Project consists of series of small dams of the tributaries of Damodar,
flowing from Chotanagpur in South Bihar to West Bengal. The hydle power has been
integrated in a common grid.
(2) Bhakra Nangal Project
This project has been built where two hills on either side of Satluj are very close to each
other. It claims to be highest gravity dam in the world (height 226 metres from river bed).
The project serves the states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Harayana, Rajasthan and U.T.
of Delhi.
(3) Indira Gandhi Rajasthan Canal Project
It is ambitious plan to bring new areas under irrigation. The water of the Beas and
Ravi has to be diverted to Satluj. The Pong Dam on the Beas impounds 6,90,000 ha metres
water. This dam helped in the division of Beas into Satluj in a regulated manner. It enabled
Rajasthan canal to irrigation Ganganagar, Bikaner and Jaiselmer Districts. The main canal
is 468 km long.
(4) Kosi Project
Kosi Project or river Kosi in North Bihar has a main canal to irrigate 8,73,000 ha of
land in Bihar.
(5) Hirakud Dam
Hirakud Dam in Orissa is longest serves Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This 2.5 km
long dam irrigates nearly 4,00,000 ha land.
(6) The Tungbhadra
The Tungbhadra Project serves Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This 2.5 km long dam
irrigates nearly 4,00,000 ha land.