Heritage tag to 3 irrigation structures in Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada: It is really a proud moment for the State as threeirrigation tanks in Andhra Pradesh—Cumbum Tank in Prakasam district, Kurnool-Cuddapah Canal (popularly known as KC Canal) and Porumamilla Tank (also known as Anantharaja Sagaram) in Kadapa district —received the tags of World Heritage Irrigation Structures, said Minister for Irrigation P Anil Kumar.

The International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), a global network of irrigation, drainage, and flood management experts, annually recognises irrigation structures of international significance. These structures, when they were built, were ahead of their times in terms of their technology. The State government will get more incentive and motivation to maintain them and ensure they are functional for years to come based on this recognition.

Addressing the media at the Irrigation camp office here on Wednesday, the Irrigation Minister said the Porumamilla irrigation tank was constructed in 13th century, Cumbum irrigation tank in 15th century and KC Canal was built in 18th century.

The international conference of ICID at Sydney was postponed due to the pandemic. However, the ICID had agreed to conduct the next conference at Visakhapatnam in 2023. About 400 representatives of various countries in addition to the 500 representatives throughout the country would participate in it. The conference would discuss various issues including evaluation of irrigation system, limited usage of water for irrigation and various systems followed by other States.

ICID vice-president Yella Reddy said that the responsibility on the State government has increased with the heritage tags to the irrigation structures in the State. He appealed to the State government to develop the heritage irrigation structures as tourist spots in future to give them boost. He said that a farmer from Anantapur district Meka Sivasankar Reddy had also been recognised for his irrigation practices.