Western Ghats News

Western Ghats ecology causes concern
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2002 10:29:33 PM ]
PANAJI: The region coming under the fragile Western Ghats, running along the west coast, though endowed with potentially rich natural resources conducive for development of sustainable agricultural growth, has been recording low productivity which is proving to be a cause of concern.

The major reasons for this are the excessive surface runoff and soil erosion due to high intensity rainfall, drying up of mountain streams, frequently occurring moisture stress, drought and inadequate water management.

This alarming situation is not very different at the all-India level as out of a total reported geographical area of 329 m. ha, about 167 m. ha are affected by serious water and wind erosion, and erosion due to shifting cultivation and of cultivable wastelands.

It is estimated that a total of 5,334 m. tonnes of soil is being eroded in India with a loss of 8.4 m. tonnes of nutrients annually. The rivers carry 2,052 m. tonnes of soil, of which nearly 480 m. tonnes is being deposited in various reservoirs, resulting in a loss of storage capacity of 1-2 per cent per year.

The National Commission on Agriculture (NCA) reported that reservoirs in India are silting three to four times faster than the designed rates.

Out of 329 m. ha of geographical area, about 145 m ha is cultivated and there is no scope to bring more area under cultivation. Besides, the cropping intensity is only 136 per cent and the per capita cultivable land will reduce to 0.14 ha in the year 2025, compared with 0.33 ha in 1950.

In view of these problems, a two-day national symposium on the theme 'Soil and Water Conservation Measures and Sustainable Land Use Systems' with special reference to the Western Ghats Region', is being held in Goa, on November 16 and 17.

The Director, ICAR Centre Goa and local coordinator of the symposium, Dr V.S. Korikanthimath, stated here on Tuesday that there would be four technical sessions covering soil and water conservation measures, water harvesting systems and management, resource inventories, monitoring and impact studies.

About 97 research papers are likely to be presented and 100 delegates participating.

About 50 per cent of cultivated land is likely to remain rainfed even after realising irrigation potential fully in the country. Though rainfed agriculture accounts for over 97 m ha, contribution to the national food requirement is only 40 per cent.

The NCA has estimated a foodgrain requirement of about 225 m tonnes against the current 195 m tonnes.

The status of forest vegetation is far from satisfactory, with the per capita availability of forest only 0.7 ha. In addition, Indian forests have poor stocking due to their degradation and over-exploitation.

Goa, which forms part of the Western Ghats region, with continuous range of the Sahyadri hills, requires soil and water conservation measures on a coordinated watershed basis.

As mining activity is also practised in the region, the soil is being exposed to the natural forces of destruction at an alarming rate. The rainfall pattern also offers a greater scope for compulsory adoption of soil conservation measures.

As rainfall is abundant, the expected runoff is higher coupled with lower water holding capacity of the soil.

The net sown area in Goa is 1,41,514 ha and good land 25-30 per cent, while the forest cover is 1,25,473 ha. The irrigated area is around 23 ha (11.4 per cent of the net sown area).

The State has 250 km inland waterways. The Director stated that brackish water has been feeding the salt pans, while attempts are also being made to promote pisciculture. Mangroves are providing natural protection against soil erosion, as well as promoting bird life, he said.

Dependence on agriculture is fast declining from 63 percent to 21 percent at present, as paddy cultivation is found to be uneconomical, he stated.

He said that the National Agriculture Technical Project, funded by the World Bank to the tune of Rs 2 crore, is availed of by the research institutes.