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Strengthening of river banks with stones and gabions [Tajikistan]

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Strengthening of the river banks with stones and gabions (English)

technologies_1362 - Tajikistan

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Completeness: 80%

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:
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SLM specialist:

Rustam Rakhimov

Community Agriculture and Watershed Management project in Tajikistan

Tajikistan

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Community Agriculture and Watershed Management project in Tajikistan (WB / CAWMP)

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

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

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Strengthening of river banks and counter landslide operations with the use of stones and gabions

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The technology includes collection of stones of average size (with the diameter of 20-40cm) and laying them in a specific way in places that are most affected by the water flow and which are prone to washout. Stones will protect arable and inhabited areas from washouts. There are two traditional ways for laying stones: (1) in the form of gabions or, in other words, stones are laid in the form of vertical walls bounded with wire, (2) in the form of masonry when stones are laid on branches of trees and shrubs.

Purpose of the Technology: Preventing river banks from being washed out by water flow and mudslides.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Collection of stones and tree branches, laying them down in a specific way, tying stones with tree branches or wire.

Natural / human environment: The technology is applicable to any river banks in rural settlements.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

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

Country:

Tajikistan

Region/ State/ Province:

Tajikistan

Further specification of location:

Tajikobod region, Jamoats of Shirinchashma and Shagodaev

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 1-10 km2
Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

No

Comments:

A total of 6 subprojects on strengthening of river banks have been implemented in the frameworks of the World Bank’s CAWMP project. This data basically refers to the Tajikobod region

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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. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
  • reduce risk of disasters

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

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):
  • Silvo-pastoralism

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1
Is intercropping practiced?

No

Grazing land

Grazing land

Extensive grazing:
  • Ranching
Animal type:
  • sheep
Forest/ woodlands

Forest/ woodlands

  • (Semi-)natural forests/ woodlands
Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Washout of river banks by water and mudslides, reduction of arable land,

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Washout of river banks by water and mudslides, reduction of arable land

Mixed: (eg agro-pastoralism, silvo-pastoralism): Yes

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Other: Os: Settlements, infrastructure networks

Livestock is grazing on crop residues

Constraints of settlement / urban: Risk of washouts

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Grazing land

Grazing land

Settlements, infrastructure

Settlements, infrastructure

Comments:

Other: Os: Settlements, infrastructure networks

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • mixed rainfed-irrigated
Comments:

Водопотребление: смешанное богарно-орошаемое

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • cross-slope measure
  • surface water management (spring, river, lakes, sea)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V1: Tree and shrub cover
structural measures

structural measures

  • S5: Dams, pans, ponds
  • S6: Walls, barriers, palisades, fences
management measures

management measures

  • M3: Layout according to natural and human environment
Comments:

Main measures: structural measures

Secondary measures: vegetative measures, management measures

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -linear, in blocks

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wm: mass movements/ landslides
  • Wr: riverbank erosion
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wr: riverbank erosion

Main causes of degradation: Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts), floods

Secondary causes of degradation: over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use, other natural causes (avalanches, volcanic eruptions, mud flows, highly susceptible natural resources, extreme topography, etc.) specify

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

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

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation, rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

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

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate (Must have engineering education (hydrotechnical))

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate (Must be experienced in setting up such kind of structures)

Main technical functions: stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides)

Secondary technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: impede / retard, control of concentrated runoff: drain / divert

Aligned: -linear
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs

In blocks
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs

Trees/ shrubs species: Trees and shrubs are planted after installation of gabions

Wall/ barrier
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 1-3
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 0,5-5
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 5-20

Construction material (earth): When laying down stones on branches of trees, spaces between branches are filled with sediments

Construction material (stone): main material that withstands water flows and mudslides

Construction material (wood): Branches of trees are used to tie stones together and to create mats

Construction material (other): Metal wire is used to bind stones

Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

Change of land use practices / intensity level: Previously dangerous areas are now successfully used

Layout change according to natural and human environment: Preserving previously dangerous areas

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Collection of cuttings Весна
2. Cuttings of poplar and willow trees or sea-buckthorn Весна
3. Planting the cuttings Весна
4. Collection and transportation of stones Весна-Лето-Осень
5. Collection and transportation of branches of trees Весна-Лето-Осень
6. Layout of mats or stones Весна-Лето-Осень
7. Fixing stones in gabions Весна-Лето-Осень
8. Design of structures в течение года
9. Organization of works в течение года

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. Replacement of destroyed sections of stones Весна-Лето-Осень
2. Planting the cuttings Весна
3. Maintenance of structures в течение года
4. Repair works в течение года

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

Comments:

$200-$800 USD costs are calculated for 1 running meter of the average structure with the use of manual labor

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Season, distance of transportation of stones, height of the structure, width and thickness of the structure, opportunity to mechanise works

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
Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid
  • semi-arid

Thermal climate class: temperate

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.
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Slopes on average: Also gentle

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):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • low (<1%)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

excess

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

Water quality refers to:

surface water

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Yes

Regularity:

episodically

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • medium
Habitat diversity:
  • medium

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:
  • Sedentary
Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • > 50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
Individuals or groups:
  • groups/ community
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • mechanized/ motorized
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Age of land users:
  • youth
  • middle-aged
  • elderly
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

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

Population density: 50-100 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 2% - 3%

5.7 Average area of land used 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
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • small-scale
Comments:

Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology: < 0.5 ha, 0.5-1 ha, 1-2 ha

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

Land ownership:
  • communal/ village
  • individual, titled
Land use rights:
  • communal (organized)
  • individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

production area

decreased
increased
Income and costs

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

conflict mitigation

worsened
improved

Livelihood and human well-beeing

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

New land areas could be taken under production. These areas can be used without any risks

Ecological impacts

Soil

soil loss

increased
decreased
Climate and disaster risk reduction

flood impacts

increased
decreased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

damage on neighbours' fields

increased
reduced

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 increase or decrease 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 moderately
local windstorm well
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought well
Hydrological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood not well

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences
How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period well

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)?
Long-term returns:

positive

Comments:

It is difficult to assess economic benefits since prevented risks can be very expensive in terms of rehabilitation works in critical situations

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • > 50%
If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

76 housheolds

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

100% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

Comments on acceptance with external material support: This is the number of families who have applied this technology in the frameworks of the CAWMP Project

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

Comments on adoption trend: These technologies are traditional for Tajikistan, but they are quite expensive and need supporting funds

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Less critical situations
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Cheapness of local materials (since only transportation of materials is paid)

How can they be sustained / enhanced? always
Engineering simplicity of the structures

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Till there are experienced masters and engineers
Opportunity to reduce land use risks in critical areas

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Till existing structures are maintained

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

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
Structures can be destroyed by floods or mudslides Make structures more stable, use modern technologies
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Structures can be destroyed by floods or mudslides Make structures more stable, use modern technologies

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys
  • compilation from reports and other existing documentation
When were the data compiled (in the field)?

22/05/2011

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Community agriculture and Watershed Management project's database

Available from where? Costs?

Project management team, for free

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