About Parichha Dam:
- Location: It is located on Betwa River in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.
- It is a key component of Betwa Canal System, which supplies water for agriculture to drought-prone areas of Bundelkhand.
- Parichha Dam has played an important role in irrigation system of Bundelkhand for nearly 140 years.
- It benefits irrigation in several areas of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
- Historical Background
- In 1855, Captain Strachey proposed developing a canal system for Bundelkhand, following which surveys were undertaken.
- Construction of the dam began in 1881 and it became operational in 1886.
- Others in the World Heritage Irrigation Structure list: In 2022, the Sukwa-Dukwan Weir in Jhansi was included in the ICID heritage list
International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage:
- It was established in 1950.
- It is a leading scientific, technical, international not-for-profit, non-governmental organization.
- Mission: ICID's mission is to promote ‘Sustainable agriculture water management’ to achieve ‘Water secure world free of poverty and hunger through sustainable rural development’.
- It is working on irrigation, drainage and flood management.
- Under its WHIS programme, the ICID recognises historically significant irrigation and drainage structures for their engineering, historical and continuing significance.
- Criteria for World Heritage Irrigation Structure: The structure shall be more than 100 years old;
- The structures shall fall under one of the following categories:
- Dams (operational largely for irrigation purpose),
- Water storage structures such as tanks for irrigation,
- Barrages and other water diversion structures,
- Canal Systems,
- Old waterwheels,
- Old shadouf,
- Agriculture drainage structures,
- Any site or structure functionally related to present or past agricultural water management activity.
