National Seminar on Water management in Andhrapradesh through Ages
The theme of the seminar[1]: Since the beginning of the human history, water has one of the precious needs of mankind. Water is considered to be the liquid gold. Irrigation system began in South India during the megalithic times. During the Satavahana period, teo lakes namely the lake of Five Nymphs and Panasaras are associated with Madakarni or Satakarni. During the Ikshvaku period, Bhinav Vasudeva is said to have dug two tanks for irrigation. Durimg the Pallava ruler Danti Varman and Vijaya Danti Varman executed small scale irrigation projects. During the Chola period, Rajendra I constructed a lake at Mekhala Champalli, of Chitoor district. Rajendra II caused the excavation of two reservoirs, Narayana Putteri and Veera Narasinghadeva Putteri of Puttur of Chitoor District.
During the Medieval period, the Kalatiya rulers paid attention to the storage of water for agriculture. Before, Kakatiyas, the tanks were small and the irrigation facilities were inadequate and the area of cultivation was very limited. Prataparudra constructed a big tank at Patala. Kakatiya samantas also constructed different tanks, canals and small kuntas. The Vijayanagara rulers and their nobles constructed many tanks and the canals and created sluices. In many parts of South India, the irrigation works of the Kakatiya and Vijayanagara rulers are still surviving their purposes. The Qutbshahi rulers constructed Durh Tank, Hussain Dagar Tank and Maasaab Tank to meet the water needs of the people living in Golconda Fort. During the Nizam rule an irrigation department was established and the Water Management was entrusted to a Chief engineer.
Sub-themes of the seminar: The following sub-themes were suggested for paper presentation by the scholars:
- Water management in Andhraparadesh during Ancient, Medieval and Modern periods.
- Water resource management and sustainable development.
- Water use – waste water irrigation.
- Wild-lie and forest resources.
- Future of water resources.
- Neeradi system (teraditional water management) vis a vis Jalasanghas.
- Role of state – water ownership and governance.
The History and Tourism Management Department of Kakatiya University is organising a two-day national seminar on ‘Water Management in A.P. through the Ages’ on February 25 and 26, 2013. Though the invitation mentioned that Former MP B. Vinod Kumar would inaugurate the seminar as chief guest on Monday in the Seminar Hall of Humanities Building[2], as could not make out, Prof. M. Panduranga Rao of INTACH was invited to inaugurate the seminar.
25-02-2013 (Monday) – the first day of seminar: Speakers at a seminar on water management favoured revival of the ancient tanks spread across the State[3]. Delivering keynote address at the inaugural of seminar organised by the Department of History, Kakatiya Univesrity, Prof. I. Lakshmi of Osmania University said that the ancient tanks built by the Kakatiya, Vijayanagara, Qutb Shahi and other kings were still operational. The Britishers contemplated to revive the same but could not do so. “If the ancient tanks are restored to their past glory, there will be enough water for irrigation and drinking needs,” she opined. She almost covered from the ancient period to modern period.
Prof. M. Panduranga Rao of INTACH said that they identified nearly 500 tanks which were like a chain built and developed by the Kakatiya rulers in Warangal district. They would, if revived, store water three times the capacity of the SRSP. “The State government should focus on reviving this chain of tanks to make Telangana a rice bowl. These small projects help irrigate large extent of land besides meeting drinking water requirements of the people,” he pointed out.
Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. K. Sitarama Rao said that over the decades the projects of Telangana region did not attract the attention of the rulers irrespective of political parties. The projects did not get enough funds and the irrigation did not witness the development that was expected. “Water is a basic need of the humanity and it should get a top priority irrespective of the region. But, Telangana is still being discriminated in this respect too,” he opined.
The Engineer Sri Shyam Prasad Reddy delved upon the technical aspects of construction of dams, tanks etc., and explained the significance odf reviving old tanks and lakes so that they could provide water for irrigation and as well as used as drinking water.
History department head Prof. T. Dayakar Rao and senior faculty members Md Ayub Ali, S. Srinath, A. Badru Naik and others were present. ‘Old tanks built by the Kakatiya, Vijayanagara, Qutb Shahi and other kings are still operational’.
26-02-2013 (Tuesday) – the first day of seminar: The second day proceedings both morning and afternoon session was chaired by Dr A. R. R. Ramachandra Reddy with the 10 paper presentation. The session was active with the participants asking questions, getting clarifications and appreciating for new points brought out and interpretations made.
720- Inagural session – Dr Srinath introduces speakers
Dr Vijaya Babu, Chairman Board of Studies, KU
Prof. I. Lakshmi of Osmania University (partly hidden)
Prof. T. Dayakar Rao , Seminar Director, History department head
Prof. K. Sitarama Rao, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences
Er Shyam Prasad Reddy, Executive Engineer (Retd), Irrigation department, Govt. Of AP.
Prof. M. Panduranga Rao of INTACH
721 – same as above – another view
Prof. M. Panduranga Rao of INTACH
Er Shyam Prasad Reddy, Executive Engineer (Retd), Irrigation department, Govt. of AP.
Prof. T. Dayakar Rao , Seminar Director, History department head
Prof. K. Sitarama Rao, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences
Prof. I. Lakshmi of Osmania University (partly hidden)
Dr Vijaya Babu, Chairman Board of Studies, KU
722 – Audience view of participating researchers, scholars, professors and students (LHS).
723 – Audience view of participating researchers, scholars, professors and students (LHS).
Dr Ayub Ali etc.
724 – Dr Bhadru Naik heading the second technical session on 25-02-2012 (Monday)
726 – Dr A. R. R. Ramachandra Reddy heading first tecnical session on 26-02-2013 (Tuesday)
725 –
727 – Dr Bobbili commenting on a paper – Dr Srinath, Dr Dayakar Rao and others in the first row
728 – Audience view of participating researchers, scholars, professors and students (LHS).
729 – Dr A. R. R. Ramachandra Reddy heading second tecnical session on 26-02-2013 (Tuesday)
730 – Valedictory function – Vice Chancellor facilitated
731 – Valedictory function – Prod Y. Yadagiri Rao
Prof B. Venkata Rathnam, VC
Prof N. Ramaswamy
Dr T. Dayakar Rao
Dr Vijaya Babu
732 – Dr Dayakar Rao reporting about the proceedings of the two-day seminar.
Totally 30 papers, covering different aspects of water resources and management, were presented by the researchers, scholars and experts.
The following resolutions were passed:
- The importance of “the history studies” was stressed and the AP government requested to consider it.
- Request was made to fill up the vacant posts and create new posts for the different disciplines of historical studies like tourism and management etc.
K. V. Ramakrishna Rao
27-02-2013
[1] Based on Invitation and the seminar introduction given by the Seminar director, Dr T. Dayaka Rao.
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