The Hindu : Karnataka News : Soil conservation measures in Krishnagiri yield results

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Soil conservation measures in Krishnagiri yield results

Staff Reporter

Groundwater level improves; prevents soil erosion

PHOTO: N. BASHKARAN

Jatropha saplings at Chinnamanavarnapalli watershed area near Krishnagiri. –

Krishnagiri: The various soil and water conservation measures taken up by the district administration under the Drought Prone Area Programme at the Chinnamanavaranapalli watershed area prior to monsoon have resulted in reducing damages caused by floods and in improving groundwater level in the area.

Chinnamanavaranapalli, located in Krishnagiri block, was selected in 2003 to implement the programme at a cost of Rs. 30 lakh. The total area of is 500 hectares.

Drought-like conditions prevailing in the area in the last three years led to the depletion in groundwater level in Chinnamanavaranapalli and surrounding villages.

The first two years of the programme were devoted for the development of land at the ridge region belonging to small and marginal farmers.

Percolation ponds, land levelling and distribution of tank silt were taken up from the third year.

Renovation of existing structures and construction of farm ponds and check dams were done executed in the fourth and fifth year respectively. Official sources said that the district administration had constructed 182 stone walls, two major check dams, 35 loose rock check dams, 11 recharge pits, four percolation ponds and five cattle ponds in the watershed area to augment the groundwater level.

In addition, soil and moisture conservation measures were executed by planting drought tolerant species at the area. About 15,000 saplings of jatropha were planted in the area.

These measures helped to conserve rainwater, prevent soil erosion and accumulation of silt along the supply channels.

Farmers selected under the project have now switched over to cash crops like sugarcane and cut flowers from seasonal crops.

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