N. Bala , Pramod Kumar , G. Singh , N. K. Limba

Abstract

A study was conducted on the work carried out to reclaim waterlogged area near Rawatsar of Hanumangarh District in Rajasthan, India. It was amply demonstrated that a government initiative supported by active community participation could reverse poverty linked resource degradation. The area that was under the influence of water logging and salinity since the introduction of Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojna (IGNP) and Ghaggar flood diversion channel stands reclaimed to a great extent after the project interventions. Surface drainage was provided to drain out stagnant water. It was supplemented by plantation of trees to biodrain water and to decrease water table further. Farmers who once fled from the area in search of living were once again seen busy with agricultural activities. Crops like cotton, wheat, and mustard etc. are now grown in the field, which was submerged under saline water a few years back. The project interventions have been proved to be a boon for that area.

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Pramod Kumar , N. Bala , G. Singh , S. P. Chaukiyal , S. Mutha , N. K. Limba , N. K. Bohra

Abstract

A total of 66 villages were surveyed from six types of degraded land areas in arid and semi-arid parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Availahility of common access resources (CARs) i.e. Gaucher/Oran and Community wasteland varied from 4% in Johrheed (Bikaner) to 93% in Ramgarh (Jaisalmer) of Rajasthan. Arahle farming and animal husbandry are the main occupation in the area with very high cattle population. 62-100% household fall under the category of marginal land holding (<5 acres) and are totally dependent upon CARs for getting fuel , fodder and even food. The average fuelwood and fodder requirement per household in the area were worked out to be 3.46 tonnes and 2.07 tonnes per year , respectively. To meet this requirement on sustainable basis , productivity of the available CARs need to be maintained at 4.2 tonnes ha^-1 yr^-1. Female members of the family and children mainly carry out collection of fuel and fodder for which they devote 30 to 40 % of their time.

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N. Bala , Pramod Kumar , N. K. Bohra , N. K. Limba , S. R. Baloch , G. Singh

Abstract

Litter production varied greatly with plantation age and stem density in E. camaldulensis being high in 12-year-old plantation (6087 kg ha^-1). Lowest litter production was in 4-year-old plantation (2042 kg ha^-1). Bimodal pattern of litter fall was observed in younger plantation where, two peaks of varied intensity were observed in summer and winter. Overall, litter production was more in summer. Component wise, leaf litter accounted for the major part of the total litter production. It varied from 64% in 17-year-old plantations to 73% in 8-year-old plantations. Woody litter component varied from 16% to 23% in different age plantations. Bark litter also constitute a significant proportion of the total litter production rangingfrom 9-13%. Value of decomposition constant (k) was 0.1508, signifying very slow rate of decomposition. A significant positive relationship between annual total litter production and girth at breast height (GBH) as well as tree height was observed. Conclusively, lowrate of decomposition signified slow rate of nutrient turnover.

Keywords

Litter, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Decomposition, Aridzone, Plantation

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N. Bala , G. Singh , N. K. Bohra , N. K. Limba , S. R. Baloch

Abstract

No abstract

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G. Singh , T. R. Rathod , N. K. Limba , G. R. Choudhary , A. U. Khan

Abstract

Survival and growth of Jatropha curcas was examined in relation to slope gradient and rainwater harvesting treatments with a view to use this species in revegetation of degraded hilly area with its socio-economic benefits. Varying slopes were <20%, 10-20% and >20%, whereas rainwater harvesting treatments were control (CL), contour trench, (CT), Gardonie (G), Box trench (BT) and V-ditch (V). Soil water content (SWC) was greater (p < 0.05) <10% area and decrease in order <10% <>20%<10-20% slope areas. SWC was lowest in the CL plots, whereas it was highest in Gradonie plots in August. The increase in SWC over control was by 16% and 24% in August 2006 and 2007, respectively. SWC was highest in CT in June 2006 and in BT in June 2007, and the improvement in SWC resulted from rainwater harvesting was by 51% and 15% in the respective treatments influencing survival and growth of J. curcas. The lowest survival in >20% slope area indicated its susceptibility to water stress, further supported by the highest growth in BT plots with the highest soil water. Plants were tallest (p < 0.05) in <10% and smallest in >20% slope area. The plants growing along the contour trench were tallest (p < 0.05), whereas plants growing in the control plots were smallest (p < 0.05) suggesting the beneficial effects of water harvesting on the growth of J. curcas in degraded areas. Conclusively Jatropha curcascan be used to restore degraded hilly tract utilizing rainwater harvesting.

Keywords

Jatropha curcas, Survival and Growth, Rainwater Harvesting Treatment, Socio-economic Benefits

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G. N. Gupta , N. K. Limba , P. K. Gupta

Abstract

The field experiment conducted on Neem raised on various types of water harvesting structures in arid region is presented.

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N. Bala ¹, G. Singh ¹, N. K. Bohra ¹, N. K. Limba ¹, S. R. Baloch ¹

Affiliations
1 Division of Forest Ecology, Arid Forest Research Institute, New Pali Road, Jodhpur – 342005, IN

Abstract

An attempt was made to remove excess water from the land through bio-drainage and to increase vegetation cover and productivity of a waterlogged area in Indian desert. Area protection, soil working and plantation of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. fastigata, E. rudis and Corymbia tessellaris on raised bunds, improved vegetation cover with simultaneous decrease in water table. Performance of E. rudis was best with respect to growth, biomass, transpiration rate and overall bio-drainage potential. E. rudis maintained uniform transpiration and photosynthesis rate throughout the year. Ground water level receded by 145 cm in E. rudis plot compared to 90 cm, 70 cm and 60 cm in C. tessellaris, E. camaldulensis and E. fastigata respectively within a period of four and half year. Soil organic carbon, electrical conductivity, NH and NO - N were high in E. rudis and low in E. fastigata. The results suggests that E. rudis has high 4 3 potential to be used as an efficient bio-drainage species in canal command waterlogged area of Indian desert. Apart from the planted species, Prosopis juliflora, Tamarix dioca and Saccharum munja also have come up in the area with recession of ground water table as natural succession and contributed significantly for further lowering of ground water table and increasing productivity.

Keywords

Biodrainage, Biomass, Eucalyptus Rudis, Transpiration, Waterlogging

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