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)

Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Mana (Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Mana) - 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:

Yes

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Stream banks can be protected by planting them with Salix (Salix babylonica); this is a traditional practice that has been used for streams that flow through agricultural lands.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The erosion of stream banks is a natural geomorphic process, but when the streams flow through agricultural land there is a danger that they can overrun their banks and damage crops or erode land used for cultivation. The degree of erosion can be reduced by using structural measures such as lining the banks with concrete or large boulders or by planting trees along the edges. The Salix plant (Salix babylonica) has been found to be particularly useful for preventing erosion because its roots extend deep into the soil and help to anchor the bank. Following age-old tradition, land users in Bhaktapur district have planted Salix along the Bramayaeni khola (stream). It is a low-cost technology that is simple to implement.

Purpose of the Technology: Salix does best in moist soils, such as those found along irrigation channels and along the banks of rivers and streams. Salix saplings are most commonly planted in single rows but sometimes in double rows. After the saplings are planted, the entire area is fenced off using a biofence to protect them from being eaten or trampled by wild animals. Land users keep an eye on the Salix and prune or thin them as needed, for example when it is shading crops, or when they need firewood or can sell the branches.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation

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

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): When streams overflow their banks, agricultural land can be flooded and eroded.

3.3 Further information about land use

Number of growing seasons per year:

• 2

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• improved plant varieties/ animal breeds
• surface water management (spring, river, lakes, sea)

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 0.026 m2.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

Main causes of degradation: floods

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

• prevent land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Schematic diagram of a low cost riverbank protection scheme that can be implemented using mostly local materials.

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: The Salix roots reinforce the soil and support it by buttressing and arching., Salix armours the slope against surface erosion

Secondary technical functions: Floodwater is safely channeled downstream

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.	The planting site is cleared. Cuttings are taken from 3–5 year-old trees: average length: 2–2.5 m; average diameter: 5–7 mm.	Vegetative	January-febuary
2.	Planting pits approximately 30 cm in diameter and 90 cm deep are dug into the stream bank approximately 1–2 m apart.	Vegetative
3.	The Salix cuttings are planted so that one-third of their length is below the surface of the soil.	Vegetative
4.	After planting, the soil is compacted around the base of the cuttings.	Vegetative
5.	The cuttings are watered soon after planning and again at least three times per month. In June and July, six months after planting, the cuttings that have survived and taken hold should show new shoots.	Vegetative

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	Clear planting side	persons/day/ha	150.0	3.9	585.0	100.0
Construction material	Salix cutting	ha	1.0	186.0	186.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					771.0

Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 2 month(s)

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Type of measure	Timing/ frequency
1.	The established Salix is thinned or pruned if it is found to be shading crops. New cuttings are planted in areas where cuttings have failed to take root.	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	Thinning and prunning	persons/day/ha	10.0	3.9	39.0	100.0
Construction material	New salix cutting	ha	1.0	35.0	35.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					74.0

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The labour cost is very high in Bhaktapur District; when compared to other parts of the country it is probably the highest. All costs and amounts are rough estimates by the technicians and authors

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 good

Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: > 500 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 2% - 3%

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:

• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• communal (organized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

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)

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	not well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood	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

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

148 households

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 90-100%

Comments:

There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: All of the 148 households studied implement this technology voluntarily without external support.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
It is a successful example of sustainable land management that has been very effective in Nepal. How can they be sustained / enhanced? An awareness programme on the importance of stream bank protection would help to validate and reconfirm this age-old practice.
This low-cost technology is applied using indigenous knowledge. How can they be sustained / enhanced? Scientific and technical input might help to make this technology more effective.

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?
There are no funds to help extend the technology to other areas.	More funding should be made available for stream bank protection either from the District Soil Conservation Office or private organizations.
When newly planted Salix cuttings are overrun by khosima, a new invasive species, they gradually die.	Technical backstopping is needed for the removal of unwanted species.