C. P. Bhimaya , R. N. Kaul

Abstract

The western portion of Rajasthan is all desert. The area of this desert is over 70,000 sq. miles. Wind is attributed to be the main agency responsible for the creation and continuance of this desert. Extremes of temperature, high wind velocity, scanty rainfall and low relative humidity are the main climatic features of this desert. Inspite of these factors, Rajasthan desert has a variety of natural vegetation, which is fast disappearing due to continued uncontrolled grazing and felling of trees, resulting in excessive wind erosion and desert extension. In fact, there is evidence to show that during past geological times this desert region was covered with dense vegetation. Large lignite deposits are discovered at Palana in Bikaner district which is now the heart of the desert. Thus, there is a possibility of averting this catastrophe by conserving the existing vegetation and rehabilitating the landscape with vegetation. Indigenous flora can be utilised easily for afforesting these areas and checking wind erosion. Technique of rehabilitating the various soil types met with in the desert region are under study at the Desert Afforestation and Soil Conservation Station at Jodhpur and the information so far collected is presented here. The low and extremely variable rainfall is one of the most serious limiting factors in the way of restoring vegetative cover on denuded, arid and semi-arid lands. Intensive studies of climate and micro-climate are necessary to understand and effectively control the adverse climatic factors. The selection of suitable species and superior strains from amongst indigenous as well as exotic xerophytic flora and the development of suitable arid-land afforestation techniques including nutritional requirements for various species are other important lines of investigation. The stabilisation of sand dunes and establishment of protective windbreaks and shelter belts are essential to check sand drift and advancing aridity from the desert areas. Research is also required on the most economical use of water for arid afforestation and on problems connected with inducement of drought-resistant character in the seed, the use. Of foliar sprays on plants to bring about drought resistance, and suitable methods of "hardening" of plants prior to planting out.

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C. P. Bhimaya

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C. P. Bhimaya , M. D. Chowdhary

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During the visit of the Prime Minister of Russia, Marshall N. Bulganin and the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the U.S.S.R. Mr. N. Khrushchev they visited the Mechanised Farm of the U.P. Government in terai. Seeing the success achieved in mechanised farming there, the Russian leaders offered a gift of machines and equipment to the Government ofIndia if they could establish a similar farm in any other part of India. The Government of India accepted the offer and established the Central Mechanised Farm at Suratgarh in Rajasthan in August 1956. This farm is located, in the now dry Gaggar river bed, in the annual rainfall region of about nine inches which is a vast barren waste almost completely devoid of tree growth. The gross area of the farm is about 30,000 acres of which about 22,000 acres are cultivable. Since this farm was being started from scratch and it lay in an expansive waste subjected to hot dry winds and severe dust storms it was felt that a regular system of wind-breaks is to be planted in the farm.

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C. P. Bhimaya , A. B. Bose , S. P. Malhotra

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C. P. Bhimaya

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The whole country is now conscious of the problems of Rajasthan Desert and the need for soil conservation in this region. This paper deals with the set-backs that the an;mal factor causes in tackling these problems. In the course of delineating the different processes which contribute to such set-backs the various factors which in turn contribute to the perpetuation of various animals and birds and the different beliefs and sentiments that go to such perpetuation are mentioned. No attempts have been made to suggest ways and means of suppressing or modifying these deep ischolar_mained sentiments and beliefs as this requires a sociological and economical approach. In the Central Arid Zone Research Institute a Human Factor Studies Division and a Special Animal Studies Djvision have been set up. In due course of time these Divisions will remedy these beliefs.

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C. P. Bhimaya , R. N. Kaul , B. N. Ganguli

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The lopping of trees of various fodder apecies in different statei of India has been briefly reviewed. The details regarding the intensity of lopping practices have been discussed. Field experiments conducted on fully grown Prosopis spicigera trees at Beriganga and central research farm, Jodhpur during the years 1955-58 and 1960-61 respectively have shown that intensity of lopping does not adversely affect the growth of Prosopis spicigera trees. Recurrent lopping ot trees definitety reduces the leaf fodder yield, irrespective of intensity of lopping, perhaps due to successive reduction in the overall surface of new shoots, thereby suggesting a definite need for an intervening rest period for sustained forage yield. There is, therefore, a need for evolving a system of rotational lopping giving the trees just the right period of rest which may be necessary for a sustained leaf fodder yield.

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C. P. Bhimaya , R. N. Kaul , B. N. Ganguli , P. N. Bhatt

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On a rocky, refractory site adjoining the city high level water distribution tank covering an area of about 12.55 hectares (31 acres) an experimental afforestation work was undertaken in 1959. The site was practically devoid of soil and vegetation. Sprouted stumps of Prosopis juliflora were planted and seeds of Acacia senegal were sown in pits half filled with mixture of manure and transported soil from elsewhere. At the end of the first growing season with periodical watering, fairly good survival and growth in height of seedlings were observed. Closure resulted in the appearance and spread of annual and perennial grasses. The paper briefly describes the techniques of afforestation, results achieved therefrom, and the cost of plantation, as a guide for afforesting of such sites.

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C. P. Bhimaya , A. Cherian , Y. Satyanarayan

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An ecological study of the vegetation of Kailana, a rocky area 7 miles from Jodhpur was carried out to assess changes in the composition and vegetative cover due to protection. Quantitative data was collected on the analytical characters of trees and shrubs and ground vegetation in different compartments fenced since 1953 to 1957. Comparative studies were made in the unprotected area. An over-all increase in the number of trees and shrubs was observed although succession of vegetation was slow. Of the planted species, Prosopis juliflora and Cassia auriculata have well established. Reduction in the number of some of regressive species like Euphorbia neriifolia and Capparis decidua have been observed. Development of trees and shrubs were found to be better in compartments having favourable micro-relief features. In the case of grasses, it was found that the regressive stage of Oropetium thomaeum-Tragus biflorus is being replaced by a higher perennial grass stage of Eleusine flagellifera-Dactyloctenium sindicum, the establishment being more successful in depressions. An increase in the number of weeds has also been observed in the protected compartments. It has been shown that micro-relief is an important factor in planning afforestation work in arid zone.

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C. P. Bhimaya , M. B. Jain , R. N. kaul , B. N. Ganguli

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