Correct Option
The correct option is (c) 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
Irrigation in India is classified into various types based on the source of water and the method of extraction or distribution. The primary systems include well irrigation (groundwater), canal irrigation (surface water), and tank irrigation (storage of runoff).
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Tube wells are bored deep into the ground, often penetrating rocky layers to tap water from deeper aquifers (confined aquifers). In contrast, dug wells are open excavations that typically access shallow groundwater from the upper phreatic zone (unconfined aquifers).
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: River lift systems are specifically used in areas where the topography is undulating, or the elevation is too high for gravity-based canal flow to reach. They are also employed where canal flow is insufficient or inadequate, not where it is abundant. In these systems, water is lifted directly from the river to irrigate the fields.
- Statement 3 is Correct: In the context of Indian irrigation (particularly in Peninsular India), tanks are reservoirs formed by constructing earthen bunds or masonry walls across streams to intercept and store surface runoff or stream flow. While modern dams are larger, traditional tanks function as storage reservoirs designed to intercept flow for agricultural use during dry periods.
Key Takeaway
River Lift Systems are an alternative to canal irrigation used primarily when gravity flow is not feasible due to topography or water scarcity, whereas Tube Wells access deeper groundwater sources than traditional dug wells.