What do you understand by Command Area? Objectively differentiate between Gross Command Area and Cultural Command Area.

The command area refers to the area adjacent to the dam or water projects. The area receives ample benefits from the water available in the storage. The facilities include irrigation, flood control, electricity generation, etc. Command areas are irrigated from the scheme which is suitable for cultivation. The water source provides irrigation commands for cultivation.

Gross command area

The term is mainly used in canal irrigation engineering. During the time of the construction of the new canal, the engineers create their design maps, etc. While doing so, they chalk out the entire area within an imaginary line that can be included in the irrigation project under development. This Gross Command Area (GCA) includes cultivable land as well as barren land, forests, houses, wasteland, roads, etc.

Cultivable command area

The cultivable command area is that part of the Gross command area, that is fit for cultivating crops. So, the cultivable area excludes forest and barren land from the Gross Command Area. What is left is an uncultivable area.

Relation

Gross Command Area can be represented as the addition of the total Cultivable command area and the total uncultivable area.

Topics: GS-IV: Ethics and Human Interface