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Technologies
Inactive

Sunken gully pits [India]

khancha, Dhuda

technologies_1479 - India

Completeness: 73%

1. General information

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

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:

Nayak Pradeep Kumar

Nuapada, Orissa, India

India

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

10/10/2006

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

Yes

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches

Participatory Watershed Development Approach
approaches

Participatory Watershed Development Approach [India]

Livelihood asset base development through participatory watershed developemnt keeping people at the center stage of development and promoting village level institutions.

  • Compiler: Narendra Kumar Panigrahi

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Runoff management pit in the gully with provision of waterway for excess runoff water.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Adopted in 4-8% sloped gully at an interval varying from 20 M to 30 M . Pits are dug on the upsteam of the bund with graded slope or the upsteam of the pits. Also having provision of safe water disposal. Purpose: 1. Reduction in flow velocity 2. Withheld and impound the flow water 3. Ground water recharge 4. Increase in soil moisture regime 5. For supplemental irrigation by the middle and lower reach structure. Establishment/maintenance: Turfing, Placing in position of displaced boulder. Excavation of deposited earth from the pit. Environment: User friendly, Low maintenance, Promotes vegetation,Eco-friendly

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

Country:

India

Region/ State/ Province:

ORISSA

Further specification of location:

ORISSA/NUAPADA/MAHANADI/CHAKAPADA

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:
  • through projects/ external interventions
Comments (type of project, etc.):

ANDHRA PRADESH By Hanumant Rao based upon Four- Water concept.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts

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

Mixed (crops/ grazing/ trees), incl. agroforestry

Mixed (crops/ grazing/ trees), incl. agroforestry

  • Silvo-pastoralism
Main products/ services:

Shrubs, trees and fodder cultivation. Also: fuelwood, fruits and nuts, grazing / browsing, other forest products / uses (honey, medical, etc.), nature conservation / protection, recreation / tourism

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Formation and development of gully in course of time.
Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Problem of sand casting in crop land and graduallly coverted into unproductive lands.
Semi-nomadism / pastoralism: Animals reside in the Watershed area
Grazingland comments: Trend increasing towards livestock production. Trend to have stall feeding. Trend to produce better and improved quality fodder.

Plantation forestry: Yes

Other type of forest: Natural forest

Problems / comments regarding forest use: Management and protection of existing forest and species are increasing by providing watch and ward by the Watershed members through Vana Surakhya Samiti(Forest Protection Committee)

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 2
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 150 Longest growing period from month to month: Jun - Oct Second longest growing period in days: 75 Second longest growing period from month to month: Nov - Jan

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • water harvesting
  • irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)
  • ground water management

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 0.1-1 km2
Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.4 m2.

Technology adopted following T.Hanumanth Rao's four- Water concept.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
  • Wg: gully erosion/ gullying
  • Wo: offsite degradation effects
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wg: gully erosion / gullying

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion, Wo: offsite degradation effects

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation
  • reduce land degradation
Comments:

Main goals: prevention of land degradation

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Sunken pit technical drawing

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate

Technical knowledge required for land users: low

Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of concentrated runoff: impede / retard, increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil

Secondary technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, control of concentrated runoff: drain / divert, reduction of slope angle, reduction of slope length, sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting, increase in soil fertility

Vegetative measure: Turf on bund
Vegetative material: G : grass

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: G : grass

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: G : grass

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: G : grass

Grass species: Local grass

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 3.00%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is (see figure below): 2.00%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 0.00%

Structural measure: Sunken gully pit
Vertical interval between structures (m): 1
Spacing between structures (m): 20
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 1
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 2
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 3
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 1
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 2.5
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 3

Construction material (earth): Excavated earth over 4.5 cum is utilised for construction of down stream bund

Construction material (stone): 1.08 cum of stone is used in upstream pit slope

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 3%

If the original slope has changed as a result of the Technology, the slope today is: 2%

Lateral gradient along the structure: 0%

Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Rupees

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

50.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

1.00

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. Local grass collection Vegetative Onset of monsoon(Jun-july)
2. Putting the turf on the bund Vegetative Onset of monsoon(Jun-july)
3. Establishment of grass Vegetative During monsoon
4. Survey and layout Structural before onset of rain.
5. digging of pit & construction of earthen bund Structural pre-monsoon
6. stone pitching on upstream slope of pit Structural pre-monsoon
7. grass turffing Structural monsoon

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 Labour ha 1.0 37.0 37.0
Construction material Stone ha 1.0 3.0 3.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 40.0
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 12 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. Replanting of grass in the dried out patches Vegetative During rainy season(July-Sept) /When required.
2. stabilisatioin of bund with grass Structural during rain/annual
3. de-silting of pit Structural Before onset of monsoon/annual
4. Maintaing upstream & down stream bund slope Structural Before onset of rain/annual
5. Re-arrangement of displaced stones Structural before onset of rain/annual

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

Comments:

Length of structure , deapth of gully , stone availability

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour availability, stone transportation.

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specify average annual rainfall (if known), in mm:

1250.00

Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-arid

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • medium (1-3%)
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: Medium
Soil drainage/infiltration: Medium
Soil water storage capacity: Medium (ranked 1) and high (ranked 2)

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
  • average
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 100-200 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 1% - 2%
5% of the land users are very rich and own 40% of the land.
5% of the land users are rich and own 20% of the land.
30% of the land users are average wealthy and own 30% of the land.
40% of the land users are poor and own 10% of the land.
20% of the land users are poor.

Off-farm income specification: Income from offl farm activities like stone cutting, stone transporation, dry stone pitching

Market orientation of grazing land: Mixed (ranked 1, shrubs, trees and fodder cultivation) and subsistence (self-supply, ranked 2, to supplement the fodder requirements of watershed)
Market orientation of forest land: Commercial/market (ranked 1, sale of oil producing seeds), mixed (ranked 2, supply of excess fodder to nearby area/watershed) and self subsistence (ranked 3, trend increasing towards livestock production. Trend to have stall feeding. Trend to produce better and improved quality fodder.)

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

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha

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

Land ownership:
  • state

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Low fertile and degraded soil

fodder production

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Cowpea, Stylo

fodder quality

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Cowpea, Stylo

wood production

decreased
increased

production area

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Private land

Income and costs

farm income

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Rs. 400/- per ha

workload

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Crop area increased.
Awareness and willingness for maintenance required needs to develop

Other socio-economic impacts

On farm employment

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Farm production

Off farm employment

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Stone cutting and T.C. of stone and dry packing

Input constraints

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

community institutions

weakened
strengthened
Comments/ specify:

User group formation

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

conflict mitigation

worsened
improved
Comments/ specify:

Communitymobilization is required to restore the conflicts.

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

60

Quantity after SLM:

25

excess water drainage

reduced
improved
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Retention of water in pit. But might lead to waterlogging

soil cover

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Plantation of fodder crops

soil loss

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

20

Quantity after SLM:

18

Other ecological impacts

Soil fertility

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Top soil loss checked

Biodiversity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Ecological changes/Eco. Dev./benefits to environment not assesed in short period of time.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

downstream flooding

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

Recharge to ground water

groundwater/ river pollution

increased
reduced

wind transported sediments

increased
reduced

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

slightly positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

13

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 0-10%
Comments:

25% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

10 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: estimates

2% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

3 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

Comments on spontaneous adoption: estimates

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: Because this technology shows successful result in moisture retention, check soil erosioin and prevents sand casting.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Low cost & affordable.
Maintainable based upon traditional practices with some additional techniques.
Farmers friendly.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Best upon traditional practices, reducing runoff and soil loss

How can they be sustained / enhanced? proper planning
Water disposal at higher elevation
Regular maintenance
Adoption of proper cropping pattern depending on water availability
Water disposal at higher alevation
Regular maintenance
Adoption of proper cropping pattern depending upon water availability.

Water disposal at higher elevation
Regular maintenance
Adoption of proper cropping pattern depending upon water availability.
water disposal at higher elevatioin
regular maintenance
Adoptioin of proper cropping pattern depending upon water availability.
low cost
Farmers can maintain and very less area is lost
Efficient soil & moisture conservation.
Protection of top soil, Increase Productivity and production of land

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?
Expected conflicts from adjecent farmers Community mobilisation
Contribution mobilisation to have their ownership Participatory planning
To be liable for its future care & maintenance Awareness among the community

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