A STUDY OF THE WORLD'S FIRST MAN - MADE RIVER LINKS, RIVER DIVERSION AND MICRO WATERSHED OF UDAIPUR BASIN, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

摘要

Geographically Udaipur basin is located along the Great Indian Water Divide line at the confluence of four rivers viz. Ahar, Morwani, Amarjok and Kotra (Sisarma) that flow through the well defined Girwa region along eastern slopes of south central Aravallis, one of the oldest mountain ranges of the world. The city of the Udaipur in southern Rajasthan has evolved a network of eight man made lakes: Dudh Talai, Pichola, Kumharia Talab, Fateh Sagar, Govardhan Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar and Amar kund have been evolved at Udaipur City since the 14th Century. All these eight lakes are interlinked with each other. They are the outcome of the vision and foresightedness of ruling Ranas and Maharanas of the Mewar state. Rana Lakha constructed the Pichola Lake in the year 1582-85 across Kotra (Sisarma) River. This concept was carried forward by other Ranas and Maharanas who got constructed Udai Sagar, Kumharia Talab,Goverdhan Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar and Fateh Sagar as micro watershed units.Ranas of Mewar are credited with the first ever attempt of river diversion and river linkage in Udaipur Basin. Mewar is also credited with the first ever attempt to Link River in Udaipur basin. Maharana Fateh Singhji, inaugurated the River Link project on 13th August, 1890. Under this project the water of Ahar river was diverted to feed Fateh Sagar Lake. A dam was constructed across Ahar river 6 km northwest of Udaipur city near Chikalwas village and a link canal "Ahar-Morvani River Link Channel" (Chikalwas Feeder) was constructed to divert the surplus monsoon rainy water of Ahar river into Fateh Sagar Lake. Thus Maharana Fateh Singhji can be considered as the father of river linkage not only in India but also throughout the World. The Ranas and Maharanas of Mewar thus presented a unique example of water conservation and management in Udaipur basin throughout world.