irrigation has led to to changes in cropping pattern in regions in india and has greater ecological consequences .explain

1. farmers shifting to water intensive and commercial crops.

2. it has transformed the social landscape that is increasing the social gap between the rich landowners and the landless poor

3. eg: in gujarat, the sabarmati-basin farmers were agitated over the higher priority given to water supply in urban areas during droughts

4. the dams that were constructed to control floods have triggered floods due to sedimentation in the reservoir

5. the big dams have been unsuccessful in controlling floods at the time of excessive rainfall

6. floods devastate life and property causing intensive soil erosion

7. sedimentation meant that the flood plains were deprived of silt, a natural fertiliser.

8. cause water-borne diseases and pests and polllution resulting from excessive use of water.