1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Kathmandu University (KU) - Nepal

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) - Nepal

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

01/03/2013

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

An indigenous technology to help control channelled water during the rainy season and conserve it during the dry season

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

For more than two centuries, local farmers have promoted soil and water conservation by protecting the gullies which occur naturally between rice terraces; thus the land area is called ‘jagidol’ (jagi=rice, dol=gully). The small perennial streams which flow through the terraces are protected by constructing check dams and retaining walls to reduce the danger of erosion and collapse.

Purpose of the Technology: During the monsoon, the channels or trenches can become engorged and, since their walls are not reinforced (except for grass planted at the edges), the conduits can be easily eroded. When the erosion is severe enough, the edges of the terraces adjacent to the gullies can collapse. When many gullies collapse at once, the stability of the entire hillside is threatened with catastrophic consequences for the village situated above the planting area. Villagers have traditionally used local materials and expertise to maintain the gullies and reduce soil erosion by building retaining walls across the slope which are strengthened through plantation. The retaining walls are bio-engineered using a combination of bamboo poles, rocks, and soil-filled sacks. Bamboo poles are used for the backbone of the support structure, and rocks and soil-filled sacks are used to line the sides of the channel. Local grasses such as 'sitto' are planted on the top and, as they grow, their roots help to anchor the structure. When the channels are fortified by retaining walls and planting, they become entrenched and, over time, less maintenance is required. As a bonus, when the plants grown along the gullies mature, they provide biomass for the farm and fodder for cattle. During winter, when water is scarce, farmers modify the gully system by constructing check dams which can be used to collect water in one place. These dams are useful for irrigation during the dry season and they also help to prevent bed scouring.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce risk of disasters

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): As the land is continuously eroded, both farmland and inhabited areas will slowly slide downhill.

Forest products and services: timber, fuelwood

Other forest products and services: Fodder

Constraints of wastelands / deserts / glaciers / swamps

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• mixed rainfed-irrigated

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 200; Longest growing period from month to month: March-september; Second longest growing period in days: 120; Second longest growing period from month to month: October-January

Livestock density (if relevant):

< 1 LU/km2

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• cross-slope measure
• water diversion and drainage

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:

• applied at specific points/ concentrated on a small area

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 1.1 m2.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub), deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• reduce land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

A jagidol area showing the approximate slope, bench terraces, and basic geometry of the landscape. With the shrine shown as in the photograph of the site.

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: drain / divert, stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides), water harvesting / increase water supply

Secondary technical functions: improvement of ground cover, spatial arrangement and diversification of land use

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

Specify currency used for cost calculations:

• US Dollars

4.4 Establishment activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing
1.	Local grasses such as utis, sito, amrisho, daleghas, and bamboo, can be planted on top of the reinforcements.	Vegetative
2.	Construction of dam with mud-filled sacks Construction of stone dam and spillways• Construction of retaining wall• Construction of bunds and barrier	Structural

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Plant grasses	persons/day/sq km	150.0	4.5	675.0	100.0
Equipment	Equipment	sq km	1.0	225.0	225.0	100.0
Construction material	Material	sq km	1.0	725.0	725.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					1625.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	Continue to reinforce by planting with local grasses or bamboo on top of the structures until the plantings are well established.	Vegetative

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Reinforce by planting on structure	persons/day/sq km	50.0	5.0	250.0	100.0
Equipment	Equipment	sq km	1.0	70.0	70.0	100.0
Construction material	Material	sq km	1.0	350.0	350.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					670.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The construction and maintenance of gullies demands attention during a busy agricultural calendar and can significantly add to the labour costs depending on the size and number of gullies and dams that need to be constructed and maintained.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

5.3 Soils

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility is high

Soil drainage / infiltration is poor

Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Water quality (untreated): Also for agricultural use only (irrigation)

Availability of surface water: During Monsoon

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 0.5% - 1%

90% of the land users are average wealthy.

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• communal/ village
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

Other ecological impacts

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	Type of climatic change/ extreme	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm	not well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Comments:

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Communities throughout the area have adopted these structural measures for centuries without any external support. Communities downstream are beginning to see the benefits and they are also starting to adopt these measures.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
This is a well-accepted local practice. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Continue to implement this soil conservation measure.
The use of mud-filled sacs is a recent innovation. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Some advance training may be needed.
Reduced risk of losing crops and agricultural land because of soil degradation. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Continue to add to mud-based structures by vegetative means.
An added benefit is the production of biomass: grass, fodder for animals, wood, and fuelwood. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Continue to plant more trees.
Makes water available for irrigation even during the dry season. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Encourage more check dam construction along the gully.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
The traditional materials used in the construction of dams and gullies are prone to damage during flood events	The technology can be enhanced by the use of better materials and technical support. With research and funding, more robust conservation measures can be implemented.
In recent times, new activities such as brick making are coming to the villages; the entrepreneurs involved in these activities do not know about (and are not interested in) soil conservation measures	Increase awareness among newcomers.
There has never been any external support for these soil conservation activities even if downstream communities also benefit	Increase awareness among downstream communities. Explore possibilities for external support for controlled gullying.