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The
project Area 'Bunga' is a small hamlet in Ambala
district of Haryana situated in the foothills of
Shivalik range in North India. The Average rainfall of
the area is about 1100 mm, 80% of which is received
during June - August. The soil is characterised by
sand stones, grit, conglomerates and clay. The rocks
are young, soft, unconsolidated and highly susceptible
to erosion. Denudation of pastures and woodlands, low
productivity of land and animals and poverty are some
of the major problems of the area. Hence an Integrated
Water Shed Management Project was taken up in the
village.
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The project comprised of
construction of check dams for water harvesting, soil
erosion control methods through planting of natural
trees and grasses and digging of trenches at right
angles to slopes for containment of sediment as well
as promotion of concept of social fencing.
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The
success of Bunga project in terms of agriculture, forestry,
energy use, public participation, socio-economic progress,
etc. is discussed briefly as under:
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Building
of check dams resulted in harvesting, storage and
recycling of rainwater which was used by villages for
supplementary irrigation. This helped to increase the
cropping intensity and production in arable land. The area
under wheat alone increased from 26% to 57% with a 183%
increase in yield. Consequently, production of food grains
increased by 146%, of cash crops by 410%, of fodder by
267%, of pulses and oil seeds by 77% and 59% respectively.
Gross value from agriculture increased from Rs. 6309 to
14136 per hect. At 1991-92 prices with the growth rate of
9.4% per annum.
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Availability
and collection of animal during increased leading to its
use for manuring. This improved soil fertility by 188%.
The dependence of the villagers on forests for fuel wood
also decreased.
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A
'Hill Resource Management Society' was constituted for
protection of catchment and water harvesting structures,
proper distribution of stored water for irrigation and
above all, adequate management of community funds
collected from various sources for employment to village
workers, village development works such as grants for
schools, veterinary hospitals, construction of community
centre, temple and Dharmshala.
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Besides,
there is permanent improvement in re-generation status of
vegetation in the catchment area. The yield of Bhabar and
other natural grasses has increased manifold. Moreover,
value of agricultural land has increased due to leveling
and irrigation facilities.
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A
significant increase in water recharge was also seen. As a
result of this watershed management programme, water table
has risen due to ground water recharge from stored runoff.
While it was not possible to get sufficient water from
tubewell earlier, now three tubewells installed in the
command area are working regularly.
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Moreover
due to this watershed management programme sediment
removal rate has been reduced by 240 tonnes/hac./year.
Most of the sediment load has been retained behind the
engineering structure and in the reservoir itself.
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The
average annual income (gross) of the whole village from
all sources increased by 86%. There was a tremendous
increase in infrastructure development. The covered area
with cement and brick (Pucca) roof increased by 3938%.
However, the burden on farm women related to agriculture
and animal husbandry works increased by 469%.
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Hence,
the watershed management programme has provided
ecologically protective, productive and economic benefits.
The natural ecological balance between the hills and the
vegetation on one hand and the man and his cattle on the
other has been restored.
(Source:
Swarn Lata Arya & J.S. Sharma,Central Soil and Water
conservation Research & training Institute,Chandigarh)
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