Nandini dam is a life saver for farmers of Lohardaga

Nandini dam in Lohardaga district, Jharkhand, built primarily for the purpose of irrigation and water harvesting. The dam not only supplies water to the agriculture of the region, but also plays an important role in maintaining the local environment and water balance.

Introduction to Nandini Dam

Nandini Dam is situated in Lohardaga district of Jharkhand state in 2 blocks Caro and Bhandra blocks spread over an area of ​​about 100 acres. Its length is about 1946.34 meters and height is about 17.08. The construction work of this Nandini Dam was done in the year 2007-08.

This dam is about 20 kilometers away from Lohardaga district. It is about 1.5 kilometers away from Akashi railway station of Lohardaga. This dam is located at a distance of 5 kilometers from Bhandra block. At present, no recreational activity like boating takes place on this dam.

There are 3 gates on this dam, from which water is released for irrigation in the local settlement and surrounding areas. A water overflow pool has been constructed, from which water flows out during the rainy season when the dam is filled with water.

This keeps the dam safe. All the villages and settlements situated at a distance of 3 to 4 kms in this dam are supplied water through pipelines. This is providing facilities to all. Water is released for farming from three canals.

This helps the farmers here to overcome the shortage of water for irrigation in their fields. This leads to good crop yield.

History of Nandini Dam

The construction work of Nandini Dam had started in 1987, due to shortage of land and not getting the right place, the work of this Nandini Dam was stopped for a few years due to opposition by the local people.

After this, keeping in view the problems of the farmers here, the construction work of this dam was started by the government. This dam was completed in 2007-08. But some work is still pending. Its half-finished minor works were rejected.

All the necessary work that should be done for the dam was done. In the past few days, the condition of this dam has deteriorated a bit. In 2021, the government again sanctioned Rs 58 crore for the repair of Nandini Dam.

So that its incomplete work could be completed. And whatever work was done. For its repair, Punh Canal, bridge and wherever there is some damage, all the places will be repaired.

Purpose and initial plan of dam construction

A few years ago, the maximum barren land was found in Caro and Bhandra blocks and other areas of Lohardaga district. Earlier, farming was less here. Farming was done in those fields which were in the lower reaches. Where water used to stagnate or accumulate in case of slight rainfall.

There are many such areas around here, where farming has got main priority with the help of dam water. The main reason for building the dam was to reduce the water problem of the farmers here. The dry and barren land here had to be made fertile.

For this purpose, Nandini Dam was constructed by the government in 2007-08 to solve this problem. Today, all the farmers and people of the colony around this dam are very happy. We have succeeded in solving the biggest problem of water.

When and why was Nandini Dam constructed?

Nandini Dam was constructed in 2007-09. The main purpose of building this dam is to overcome the shortage of water for irrigation for the farmers here.

Its impact on local society and agriculture

Nandini Dam has been built mainly keeping in mind the water problem of the farmers. It has been done to overcome the water shortage here. The water of this dam is providing continuous water facility for irrigation to the farmers around 5 kilometers around the dam.

A total of 3 gates have been built on this dam. Water is released continuously from all three gates. So that the farmers here do not have any kind of water problem.

Local farmers have benefited the most from Nandini Dam. Various types of green vegetables and different types of grains are produced here. This is the reason that green vegetables are available throughout the year in the local city.

Exact geographical location of Nandini Dam

Khawasambawa Kharmatoli Road, Bhandra, Lohardaga District, Jharkhand, 835325
Coordinates- 23°23’17″N 84°50’30″E

You have to go on the path at a distance of 1.5 km from Akashi railway station, where it is about 5 km from Bhandra. From where you can reach this dam by auto or rickshaw.

How to reach Nandini Dam?

You can go by road or rail. By road, you will have to reach Bhandra and go on the path towards Akashi, where it is about 5 km from Bhandra and if you go by rail, then you can get down at Akashi station and reach this dam by auto rickshaw.

Size and structure of Nandini Dam

The height of Nandini Dam can be about 20 meters and the length is about 1946.34 meters. The dam has been constructed using concrete, sand, stones, rods, cement, steel, wood etc.

The total water storage capacity of Nandini Dam in Lohardaga district is 56.98 million cubic meters (M.C.M.). Rainwater is collected in this dam. Rainwater flows through the local mountains and forests and collects on this dam.

Effect of Nandini Dam on Environment

After the construction of the dam, trees and plants appear green in all the areas around it. The surrounding hilly areas and forests also remain green throughout the year. Even on the banks of the dam, many tall trees can be seen. There is a small forest on the banks of the dam.

All the trees here are very old and tall. It feels good to see them. Local people come here mostly for picnics. The maximum crowd is seen in the month of January. A fair is also held on the banks of the dam on 14 January.

In which local people from nearby areas come to enjoy the fair. Due to the irrigation facility around the dam, the environment here has improved a lot. Here, as soon as the breezes of the Tandi fall on the body in the morning, the body becomes fresh. Enthusiasm awakens in the mind. You start feeling fresh.

Role of Nandini Dam in irrigation and agriculture

Nandini Dam remains a life-giving resource for Lohardaga district. It provides life like a god to the local farmers here. The local farmers mainly cultivate paddy, wheat, jowar, bahara, corn, gram, peas, mustard, lentils, khesari dal, arhar dal and all kinds of vegetables.

Due to the dam, the water shortage of the nearby farmers has been overcome. The problem of water has been reduced in the villages, settlements and local cities up to a distance of about 4-5 kilometers. The environment here has improved. Greenery of crops is seen all around.

The local farmers do farming here throughout the year. Water is supplied to the houses of the villages and cities through pipelines. The shortage of water in the houses is being overcome.

Water level management in Nandini Dam

Nandini dam is big, but it cannot be called huge. There is no electricity production here. There is no boating. There is no water sports. No kind of entertainment is done in water. Due to which it cannot be called very huge.

Here the local farmers and people benefit the most from this dam, but economically no one has got employment opportunity on this dam. To earn their livelihood, farming, animal husbandry, shopping in the local city is done.

There are only a few people here, who are engaged in monitoring and management, conservation work of this dam. Who have been selected by the government. Who keep inspecting the dam from time to time.

In the rest of the time they are doing other work in their office. In summer, the water level in Nandini dam falls. Due to which there is less supply of water from the local canal. There is no shortage of water here in other seasons.

Tourist attractions

Nandini Dam is a popular picnic spot where people come to enjoy picnics every month. The Siberian birds that come here enjoy water sports which are most visible during the winter season.

The natural beauty and recreational activities and the view of the calm water stream and beautiful lake of the dam are quite beautiful. Apart from this, tourists can also visit the famous ancient Shiva temple, Akhileshwar Dham, built in the nearby mountains.

Major tourist places near Nandini Dam

• Akhileshwar Dham
• Prachin Shiv Mandir, Khakparta
• Kekrang Waterfalls – Bagru hill place
• Dhardharia Waterfalls – 25 km Senha Block
• 27 no. pool
• lawapani waterfalls, lohardaga
• Banpur dam – Banpur place
• Khakparta Mandir –
• Nandani Dam lohardaga- Bhandra place
• Bagru Hill – 15 km.- kisko block
• Ajay Park – city near Bharwa toli
• Birsa Upvan Biodiversity Park

Means of reaching Nandini Dam

You can go by road or rail. By road, you will have to reach Bhandra and go on the road towards Akashi, which is about 5 km from Bhandra. And if you go by rail, you can get down at Akashi station and take an auto rickshaw to reach this dam.

If Ak is in any other district or state, then from there one can easily reach Lohardaga district by road and rail. Then from there to this Nandini Dam. This is a public place, so anyone can come here to visit. You can also come here using private and public vehicles.

The road to reach the dam has become a little bad these days, so there may be some trouble. Bring food and drinks with you. There is no shop on the banks of the dam. And there is no facility to stay here at night.

FAQ’s for Nandini Dam, Lohardaga