Module 4: Tanks, Wells, Tube-wells and Pyne
Concept
Subtopic 4.1: Tanks and Wells
- Tanks are used for irrigation in almost every district; since ancient times water has been collected in natural hollows and dug ponds (pokhar).
- In the North Bihar plain, Gopalganj is especially notable for tank irrigation.
- Wells are easy to dig in the soft soil of the plains, and in the Ganga plain water is often found at only about 7 feet.
- Both kachcha and pucca wells are used; water is lifted with the latthakundi or rahat (Persian wheel).
- Well irrigation is highest in Saran, Siwan and Gopalganj.
- Gopalganj is especially notable for tank irrigation in North Bihar.
- Saran, Siwan and Gopalganj have the most well irrigation.
- The water table is high; water is often found at only about 7 feet.
- Latthakundi or rahat is used for well irrigation.
- Question: Which district in the North Bihar plain is especially noted for tank irrigation? Answer: Gopalganj.
- Question: Well irrigation is highest in which districts? Answer: Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj.
- Question: At about what depth is water found in many places of the Ganga plain? Answer: 7 feet.
- Question: Which devices are used to lift water from wells (other than tube-wells)? Answer: Latthakundi or rahat.
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
Question 1: Which district in the North Bihar plain is especially noted for tank irrigation?
Question 2: Well irrigation is highest in which districts?
Question 3: At about what depth is water found in many places of the Ganga plain?
Question 4: Which devices are used to lift water from wells (other than tube-wells)?
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
Which district in the North Bihar plain is especially noted for tank irrigation?
Gopalganj.Well irrigation is highest in which districts?
Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj.At about what depth is water found in many places of the Ganga plain?
7 feet.Which devices are used to lift water from wells (other than tube-wells)?
Latthakundi or rahat.Concept
Subtopic 4.2: Tube-wells
- Tube-wells in Bihar are 15 to 100 m deep or more. A pipe (iron or plastic) is sunk to the saturated zone and water is drawn with diesel or electric engines, so they are also called electric wells (boring).
- In the last two decades tube-wells have spread greatly in Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Saharsa, Purnia, Katihar, Begusarai, Saran and Vaishali.
- The first attempt at drawing groundwater by electric tube-wells was around 1944-45 at Dehri-Sasaram.
- Tube-wells rank second only to government canals as a source of irrigation.
- In South Bihar (Nalanda, Rohtas, Kaimur, Patna, Gaya, Munger, Bhojpur) tube-wells irrigate 89% of irrigated land; in North Bihar they are used in Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, the Champarans, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Sitamarhi, Samastipur, Begusarai and Saharsa.
- Tube-wells are 15 to 100 m deep or more.
- Tube-wells irrigate 89% of irrigated land in those South Bihar districts.
- The first attempt was around 1944-45 at Dehri-Sasaram.
- Water is pumped by diesel or electric engines through an iron/plastic pipe.
- Tube-wells rank second only to government canals.
- Question: How deep are tube-wells in Bihar typically? Answer: 15 to 100 m or more.
- Question: What share of irrigated land in South Bihar is irrigated by tube-wells? Answer: 89%.
- Question: Where was the first attempt made to use electric tube-wells for irrigation in Bihar? Answer: Dehri-Sasaram.
- Question: Why are tube-wells also called 'electric wells (boring)'? Answer: Water is drawn by diesel or electric engines through a sunk pipe.
- Question: Among irrigation sources, tube-wells rank next to what? Answer: Government canals.
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
Question 1: How deep are tube-wells in Bihar typically?
Question 2: What share of irrigated land in South Bihar is irrigated by tube-wells?
Question 3: Where was the first attempt made to use electric tube-wells for irrigation in Bihar?
Question 4: Why are tube-wells also called 'electric wells (boring)'?
Question 5: Among irrigation sources, tube-wells rank next to what?
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
How deep are tube-wells in Bihar typically?
15 to 100 m or more.What share of irrigated land in South Bihar is irrigated by tube-wells?
89%.Where was the first attempt made to use electric tube-wells for irrigation in Bihar?
Dehri-Sasaram.Why are tube-wells also called 'electric wells (boring)'?
Water is drawn by diesel or electric engines through a sunk pipe.Among irrigation sources, tube-wells rank next to what?
Government canals.Concept
Subtopic 4.3: Pyne, Ahar and Chaur
- Pyne, ahar and chaur are other irrigation sources.
- A pyne (pain) is an artificial channel system dug in earth to carry water from rivers, streams or canals.
- Pynes are used in Gaya, Patna, Munger and Bhagalpur, and to a small extent in Shahabad, Kaimur, Buxar, Bhagalpur and Darbhanga.
- A pyne is an artificial earthen channel system carrying water from rivers, streams or canals.
- Pynes are used mainly in Gaya, Patna, Munger and Bhagalpur.
- Pyne, ahar and chaur are the other irrigation sources.
- Question: What is a 'pyne' in Bihar's irrigation system? Answer: An artificial channel dug in earth from rivers/canals.
- Question: In which districts are pynes mainly used for irrigation? Answer: Gaya, Patna, Munger, Bhagalpur.
- Question: Which group of 'other' irrigation sources is named? Answer: Pyne, ahar and chaur.
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
Question 1: What is a 'pyne' in Bihar's irrigation system?
Question 2: In which districts are pynes mainly used for irrigation?
Question 3: Which group of 'other' irrigation sources is named?
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
What is a 'pyne' in Bihar's irrigation system?
An artificial channel dug in earth from rivers/canals.In which districts are pynes mainly used for irrigation?
Gaya, Patna, Munger, Bhagalpur.Which group of 'other' irrigation sources is named?
Pyne, ahar and chaur.