Planning strategies for reclamation of ravine lands: the case of Chambal basin

Abstract

Land degradation and the expansion of land degradation is the severe environmental challenges and concern in arid and semi- arid regions of India. Among various types of land degradation, Ravines are the severe form of land degradation found in India, and Chambal ravines are the major ravine affected zone in India. Soil erosion and gully formation on cultivable land is a very serious threat as it leads to agriculture productivity decline and it also degrade the land which is once used as cultivable land and not only it destroys land and soil resources but it also led to implications on ecology of the area and other natural resources. The quality of the land is deteriorating due to increased soil erosion due to lack of vegetation cover, hence it is essential to rehabilitate and rejuvenate these degraded wastelands so that these lands can be cultivated and may become effective in supporting food crop production, agroforestry and forestry-based landuse systems. The aim of the study involves understanding the effects of ravine expansion on natural resources and land reclamation techniques for reducing the expansion of ravines and resource enhancement of ravines lands through spatial planning strategies from various literature and case studies. Research methodology involves collecting data for ravine lands in Morena district. Ravine areas has been identified along with water bodies, forests, physiography and administrative boundaries in the study area through mapping of the district. Data collected from various departments of the district as well as secondary sources. A cluster of 16 Micro-watershed has been delineated for the study and perception survey analysis on micro level in the selected villages for pilot study for analysing the issues in those areas. Five villages have been selected (Khurd, Lahar, Esah, Jakhona, Hargawan) on the each of the three rivers Chambal, Kwari & Asan for Primary survey, stakeholder meetings and interviews. The study was based on primary information collected through questionnaire survey of 90 randomly selected Households, focus group discussions, farmers perception interviews and field observations. Data collected were analysed through descriptive and qualitative methods using various tools and techniques like ArcGIS, SCS-CN method, weighted overlay method. Spatial-temporal changes in ravine area has been analysed through Land use/ Landcover analysis. Planning strategies for Reclamation of Ravine lands: The Case of Chambal Basin The study of aster DEM has been used for surface and hydrology analysis of the district. Soil depth, texture, soil erosion and soil productivity analysis has been done to identify the effects of ravine expansion on the natural resources and environment of the study area. It has been found out that soil erosion and ravines formation is expanding at an alarming rate with 8 to 9 m per year. Declining soil productivity and loss of soil fertility is the major on-site ill effects of soil erosion and it will also effects in long run due to soil sedimentation in the water bodies. Hence soil and water conservation are the urgent need to the area to protect the cultivable land and natural drainage pattern and as well as for food and livelihood security. Ravine reclamation requires an integrated wasteland management approach through the treatment of tablelands, marginal lands and catchments that contribute runoff on a watershed using SCS-CN method surface runoff has been calculated for soil erosion vulnerability. Using all the parameters, weighted overlay method has been performed for land suitability analysis to finding out suitability of soil and water conservation measures in the micro-watershed area. Interventions for ravine land reclamation and rehabilitation and applicability of identified best practices selected on the basis of suitability analysis according to land capability classes. Various interventions & techniques play major role in reclamation such as soil and water conservation measures, land use management modules by bringing land under permanent vegetation cover through afforestation, Agro-forestry, Multilevel terrace farming, fodder and fruit tree-based pasture systems and energy plantations. various technological structure such as construction of peripheral bunds, contour bunds, contour trenches, terracing, spillways, diversion channel, gully plugging, percolation tanks and various other methods of reclamation. Affordable reclamation technologies being developed, and extension of the same must be strengthened involving the participation of local communities. strategies for increasing agricultural productivity, afforestation and greening wastelands for reclamation / rehabilitation and management of degraded ravine lands of the district. Watershed-based ravine management plan for ravinous lands and policy interventions with institutional framework for resource enhancement of ravine lands of Morena district. Thus, this study of reclamation of ravine lands will ultimately be concluded that implementation of proper interventions with spatial analysis will help in the management of land degradation and ravine land management for natural resources conservation throughout the district.