5. Protective measures for non-arable lands

Transcript

Hi friends, in the previous lectures we studied about the soil and moisture conservation practices in both arable and non-arable lands and also we have studied the agronomic practices that are being done in the drylands. So let me go forward with this. The protective measures in case of non-arable lands. So nonarable lands are those, which are not good for cultivation of the crops, which are not amenable for the arable farming. In such of the areas, so how to have soil and moisture conservation practices. How to conserve the moisture? It is because of protective measures. So in this lecture we will be studying protective measure for the non-arable lands.

Coming to soil degradation, it is nothing but appreciable loss of productivity, and lowers the current and/or potential capacity of the soil to produce goods and services. As you know soil degradation is a loss of productivity in a simpler sense. Then what are the factors of degradation, we have already studied.

• Deforestation of the lands
• Uncontrolled grazing
• Hazardous mining practices
• And surface runoff along the slope

So there may be many factors for the degradation. As far as agriculture is concerned, so surface runoff along the slope is one of the factors which is contributing for the degradation. So our protective measure for the non-arable lands lies all concentrated with this factor.

Protective Soil and Water Conservation Measures

Coming to soil and water conservation measures. What happens in case of non-arable lands? In case of non-arable lands, water is held in suitable trenches, pits or different suitable land configurations, and it improves the establishment and growth of the grass, trees, food plants etc. In case of the non-arable lands, the moisture is held in the protective construction or the protective dug out ponds. Where the tree has been planted, so it supplies effectively moisture to the tree plants. So it is mechanical or vegetative measures are used to restore the degradation. Protective enclosures themselves can promote the regeneration of non-arable lands. In case of non-arable lands, the water is held in suitable trenches. Second thing is both mechanical and vegetative measures are followed. Third thing is the protective measures themselves regenerate the non-arable land. So this is the concept we have understood about the soil and moisture conservation practices in non-arable lands.

Coming to the protective soil and water conservation measures. Among that catch pits/dug-outs are the first one. Dug-out pits situated at the waterways to trap the runoff. So what are catch pits, these are the dug-out pits, which are being constructed, which are being at the waterways; and these traps runoff water. So it is adoptable in rocky areas. Pits are planted with suitable trees, and both mechanical and a vegetative measure. So these dug-out pits are being adopted in rocky areas, and here in the pits the trees are planted. And it is both a mechanical and vegetative measure.

We can see here, these are the dug-out pits. And here the tree plants have been planted. For these tree plants what are the moisture stored in the pits. The moisture is supplied by this. So the second one is pits with crescent bunds. So pits with crescent bunds formed across the slope with a vegetative pit inside. These crescent shaped bunds are formed across the slope, and in these crescent bunds the trees will be planted. These bunds control runoff and the soil erosion, facilitate the development of vegetative cover, and it purely a mechanical measure. So what do these crescent bunds do. These crescent bunds control the runoff and soil erosion, and subsequently, these facilitate development of vegetative cover. And this formation of crescent bunds is purely a mechanical measure.

You can see here the pits with crescent, this is the diagram shown. In it there is a tree in this half moon shaped crescent bunds. The water will be stored, and this water will be made available to the plants. So this is one of the protective measure for the soil and moisture conservation in case of non-arable lands. Contour trenches or ditches are also a protective measures. In this a trapezoidal V shaped dug-out trenches made out along the contours to hold the rainwater for conservation. The can be either staggered or continuous at 5-10 meters. Trenches are planted with suitable trees.

And this is a mechanical as well as vegetative measure. These contour trenches are V shaped trenches made along the contour. And these contours hold the soil moisture. And this moisture will be made available to the plants. And these trenches or may be made continuous or they may be made at a regular intervals. You can see here. This is a trapezoidal. This is a contour trenching and it is a continuous without any breaks. And here the contour trenches have been opened. And this is being opened at 10-15 meter interval. And whatever the plants, whatever the moisture is stored, whatever the water is stored, it is being supplied to these plants. So in this way contour ditches or the contour trenches also act as effective soil and moisture conservation measure.

Coming to the diversion drains. These diversion drains individually designed for channel placed across the slope to intercept and divert the surface runoff, and to save the arable lands from being damaged, due to overflow from the non-arable lands. Suitable vegetative species is planted, then adaptable in all areas. And this is a mechanical measure. Diversion drains means these are the individually designed channels that are placed across the slope to intercept and divert the surface runoff. This is a mechanical measure and these diversion drains can be formed irrespective of the rainfall and the soil factors. So you can see these are the diversion drains, they are formed. These are also diversion drains formed along the slope, and this slope intercept the rainwater.

Then coming to the Gabion structures. These are important in non-arable lands. The dams made of wire woven basket. You can see that this is a dam made of wire woven basket. These baskets are filled with stones constructed along the non-arable lands to control the silt erosion in the steep slopes. This is being made with a different objective, wherein the woven baskets are being made. In these woven baskets the stones are filled, and this is constructed in the non-arable lands; mainly to control silt, mainly to arrest the silt, mainly to hold up the silt particles.

So as far as protective measures for non-arable lands is concerned. I will stop this topic at this juncture, and the same topic will be continued in the next lecture.

Thank You.