Why in News?
The 140-year-old Parichha Weir in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh has been selected by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) for inclusion in the World Heritage Irrigation Structures (WHIS) list. The recognition will be formally presented in France in October 2026.
About
- The Parichha Weir was built across the Betwa River and is still used for irrigation.
- It is 1,174 metres long and rises 16.8 metres above the riverbed.
- The weir has 318 steel falling shutters, which increased the reservoir's storage capacity from 1,700 million cubic feet to 2,400 million cubic feet.
- The WHIS programme recognises irrigation structures that are more than 100 years old and continue to serve their original purpose.
- The recognition highlights the importance of India's old irrigation systems and water-management practices.
- The Sukwa-Dukwan Weir, also located in Jhansi, was added to the ICID heritage list in 2022.
