Effect of Medium Irrigation Project on Recharge of Ground Water in its Vicinity : A Case Study of Anjani Irrigation Project in Erandol Tehsil of Jalgaon District (MS)

The cost efficiency of Minor irrigation project is important aspect as it evaluates viability of the project. Groundwater recharge and change in cropping pattern (from subsistence to commercial) are two important aspects. The present study will evaluate the rationality of Anjani Minor Irrigation project by using one aspect, i.e. groundwater recharge. The data is collected from primary and secondary sources. The level of groundwater is measured in selected wells. The spatio-temporal change for the considered period 2005 to 2018 (i.e. before and after the construction of the irrigation project) is calculated which suggests increase in level of groundwater due to recharged by Anjani irrigation project. The percentage increase in ground water level is more than 100 percent in the villages located nearer to the reservoir. Increase in ground water level has changed the pattern of agricultural landuse in the vicinity of the project.