MUDDY WATERS : A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE BENEFITS OF THE SARDAR SAROVAR PROJECT

TABLE 8
Zonewise Land Irrigability

Zone	Area ('000 ha)		LIC (% Area)
		I + II	III	IV + V + VI
1	253	100
2	273.05	100
3	153	65	35
4	111.3			100
5	295.7	100
6	181.7	55	17	28
7	476			100
8	294		100
9	268.4		100
10	344.6	79	14	7
11	191.7	100
12	462.8	33	13	54
13	122.9		100
	3422.9	47.75	25.61	26.6

Source: Calculated from Map 3 (ORG 1982)

Further problems exist. The SSP plans to augment Narmada waters with groundwater, since the surface waters will not be sufficient to irrigate the command to the level decided. Unfortunately, as shown by Map 4, groundwater is highly saline in Z₄, Z₇ and substantial parts of Z_2-3, Z₆ and Z_9-13, and is unsuitable for use in irrigation. Aquifers suitable for use in irrigation in parts of Z₆, Z₈, and Z_10-12, are very deep (> 150m) and it would require very high energy inputs to tap them. From Map 4 (ORG 1982) it can be seen that about 35% of