Previous Year Question

Aliyar, Isapur and Kangsabati are reservoirs created by dams. They are situated in different States and river systems, but share the common functions of storing water, providing irrigation and supporting regional water management.

1. Aliyar Reservoir

• Aliyar Reservoir is situated near Pollachi in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu.

• It has been created by Aliyar Dam across the Aliyar River.

• The Aliyar is associated with the Cauvery drainage system and contributes to the Amaravathi river system.

• The reservoir lies at the foothills of the Anaimalai Hills in the Western Ghats.

• Aliyar Dam was constructed mainly between 1959 and 1969.

• It is an important component of the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project.

• This inter-basin project transfers part of the water of certain west-flowing rivers towards the rain-shadow regions in the east.

• The reservoir supports irrigation, water supply and fisheries.

2. Isapur Reservoir

• Isapur Reservoir is situated on the Penganga River in Maharashtra.

• It has been created by Isapur Dam, a major earth-fill dam.

• The project forms part of the Upper Penganga Project.

• The Penganga is an important tributary of the Wardha River.

• The Wardha and Wainganga combine to form the Pranhita, which subsequently joins the Godavari.

• Thus, Isapur Reservoir forms part of the Godavari river system.

• It principally supports irrigation and water supply in regions connected with Marathwada and Vidarbha.

• In an area characterised by variable rainfall, the reservoir is important for both kharif and rabi agriculture.

3. Kangsabati Reservoir

• Kangsabati Reservoir is situated near Mukutmanipur in Bankura district of West Bengal.

• It is also known as Mukutmanipur Reservoir.

• It was created by impounding the waters of the Kangsabati and Kumari rivers.

• The Kangsabati originates in the Purulia region of West Bengal, associated with the Chota Nagpur Plateau.

• It flows generally south-eastward and subsequently becomes connected with the Haldi river system.

• The principal objective of the Kangsabati Project is to provide irrigation to Bankura, Purulia, Paschim Medinipur and adjoining areas.

• The reservoir is also important for flood moderation, fisheries, water supply and tourism.

Comparative summary