Application of Jute geo-textile in Punjab Shivaliks for control of mass erosion

1. Application of Jute geo-textile in Punjab Shivaliks for control of mass erosion Dr. V.K.Bhatt, Principal Scientist (Engg.) Dr. A.K.Tiwari, Principal Scientist (Engg.) & Head Dr. Ram Parsad, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) Central Soil and Water Conservation Research &Training Institute, Research Centre Chandigarh, India

2. IMPORTANCE • Jute geo-textile is one of the most important diversified jute products with a potentially large-scale application • Soil erosion control • Rehabilitations of land slide area • Vegetation establishment • Agro-mulching • Reinforcement and protection of riverbanks & embankments • Road pavement construction • Absence of adequate awareness, affecting the possible expansion of the market

3. Location of study area Along the Roopnagar-Noorpur bedi road near Garbhaga village (distt.Roopnagar) in lower Shivalik region of Punjab Latitude:31001' 47.5” N Longitude:760-31′ 8.6” E Elevation: 290 m from sea level Topography: from mild to more than 100% Landuse: scattered shrubs and mass erosion prone area Application area: 0.32 ha

4. . • Climate • Average annual rainfall: 656 mm • Mean minimum temperature: 6.40C • Mean maximum temperature: 38.50C • Soil of study area • Average texture of top soil • Sand 57.1% • Silt 28.7% • Clay 14.2% • Other soil characteristics • Organic matter 0.08% • Bulk density 1.5 gm/cc • Wilting point 0.1cm3 / cm3 • Saturated hydraulic conductivity 1.6 cm/hr

5. Installation of Jute Geo-Textile

6. Soil erosion* from different treatments of JGT

7. Introduction of trees, shrubs and grasses in eroded soils • Species introduced during 2012 • Embilica officinalis - 20 • Adhatoda vasica - 120 • Murraya Koeingi - 120 • Napier slips - 200 • Vetiver slips - 250 • Lemon Grass - 250 • Karissa opaca - 25 • Among shrubs maximum survival was obtained in Karonda (Karissa opaca) followed by Adhatoda vasica and Murraya Koeingi. • Among planted grasses Vetiver, gave the maximum survival followed by Napier. • Among natural grassespresnence of Chrysopogon fulvus was more than seasonal grasses. • Aonla plants recorded a survival of 56%. • During 2013, 60 plants of Aonla (local) and 38 hybrid plants of Karonda & 2 plants of mango were planted and gave a survival of 92%, 100% and 100% respectively

8. Spray of insecticide in the area before laying JGT (for safety of JGT from termite) Area ready for laying JGT Laying of JGT under guidance of Experts

9. Control / untreated site Farmer’s field Area (Variable slope) treated with JGT Site treated with JGT

10. Landslide area before application of JGT Landslide area after application of JGT (>100% slope)

11. Untreated area Treated area Gap filling of vegetation is going on Difference of vegetation in treated and untreated area

12. 600 GSM 500GSM Growth of planted and natural vegetation in the study area Infestation of termite in JGT

13. JGT WITH 600 GSM (with natural vegetation) Before After JGT WITH 700 GSM in land slide area (> 100% slope)

14. Er. Sanial and Er. Khastagir visting site Dr. Sharda discussing with Dr. Tiwari at site Visit of senior officers at JGT Site

15. Other land slide areas with high slope where application of JGT may be recommended for stabilization of soil mass

16. Constraints and problems faced in implementation JGT Project in Shivalik region

17. CONCLUSIONS • Soil surface became stable as soil erosion reduced in the area treated by JGT by up to 85% • Mass erosion was completely stopped from the treated area • In pockets local grasses have come naturally in treated area due to increase in soil moisture retention capacity of soil • Where ever grass slips and other plants were planted a luxurious growth of vegetation was seen • Farmer started taking crops in the adjoining field as eroded soil stopped to deposit in his land • Impact of treatment was more pronounced after two seasons of monsoon rain • Soil erosion and land slide may drastically reduced if applied in road sides of hill region, stream banks and on embankments

18. Thank you