Malarial impact of surface irrigation projects: A case study from Gujarat, India

Year-round irrigation and multiple cropping with paddy as a dominant crop in the monsoon months have given rise to an increase in the incidence of malaria over an 18-year period in the Mahi-Kadana Irrigation Project in Gujarat State, India. Further man-made disturbances such as over-irrigation, and lack of drainage have also compounded the problem. The remedies, apart from the conventional control and prevention measures, are better water management practices and continuous monitoring of the projects by an inter-disciplinary team which should include a public health administrator.