ukai

Ukai is a term used for several different things in India and Japan. The most prominent use is the Ukai Dam on the Tapi River in Gujarat, India. The dam forms the Ukai Reservoir and supports irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation. It is a major infrastructure feature in the region and is connected with nearby settlements and agricultural activity.

In addition to the dam itself, the name Ukai is also associated with a locality in Gujarat that lies near the dam site, reflecting the area’s geographic and administrative ties to the project.

In Japanese culture, ukai (written 鵜飼) denotes the traditional practice of fishing with trained cormorants. Historically practiced on several rivers, the method involves fishermen guiding cormorant birds to dive for fish. Variants and regional expressions exist, and some communities maintain demonstrations or festival events to preserve the technique as a form of cultural heritage.

Overall, Ukai refers to both a major hydroelectric and irrigation project in India and a historic fishing tradition in Japan, illustrating how a single name can connect infrastructural development with long-standing cultural practices.