50th Anniversary of International Commission on Large Dams

In an agricultural nation like ours, the farmers eagerly await the arrival of the monsoon clouds, hoping for the much-needed rain to nourish their parched lands. Their gaze often turns to the rivers, which, while occasionally rushing turbulently to the sea, more frequently flow calmly on their timeless journey. The efforts to harness these rivers for irrigation purposes date back centuries, with notable examples such as the Grand Anicut across the river Kaveri in Tamil Nadu, built in the 2nd century A.D. This masonry weir, still in good repair, continues to serve nearly half a million hectares of land.

In the South, Sir Arthur Cotton pioneered storage structures on rivers with the construction of the Godavari Anicut in 1853. The late 19th century saw the emergence of large dams such as the Khadakvasala Dam, Periyar Dam, and Tansa Dam, which facilitated significant irrigation projects. However, it was in the first half of the 20th century that the construction of large dams gained momentum, with over 30 dams of 30 meters or more in height being built by 1947.

Since India’s independence in 1947, more than 270 dams of 30 meters or more in height have been initiated, with 167 completed. Notable examples include the Bhakra, Nagarjunasagar, Hirakud, Rihand, Tungabhadra, Gandhisagar, and Damoder Valley dams, among others. These structures have played a crucial role in water management and agricultural development across the country.

Internationally, the establishment of the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) in 1928 facilitated the exchange of information and experiences in planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining large dams. With 71 member-states, including India, the ICOLD operates through national committees, with the Central Board of Irrigation & Power serving as the Indian National Committee.

The 13th Congress of the ICOLD, held in New Delhi from October 29 to November 2, 1979, commemorated the Golden Jubilee of the organization. In recognition of this milestone event, the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department issued a special postage stamp to honor the occasion, celebrating the remarkable achievements and contributions of large dam infrastructure to India’s agricultural landscape.