Project 4: Community knowledge on soil and water conservation

Project 4: Community knowledge on soil and water conservation

Introduction:
Topsoil of land surface is the outcome of weathering process, which encompasses a variety of physical, chemical, and biological processes acting to break down the rock. Topsoil is more vulnerable to erosion by water and wind. High intensity rainfall on the bare soil causes soil detachment and transport of finer particles elsewhere. Ultimately soil is eroded and become unfit for any use, especially agriculture. There are several mechanical and biological measures to check the soil erosion. Mechanical measures like bunding, terracing, stone bunding, check dam involve huge monetary cost, whereas biological measures like strip cropping, cover cropping, grass cover cost less. Cover crops like black gram or sweet potato are grown over the surface soil and are mostly used for smothering the land surface to protect the land from the beating action of rain and to increase infiltration of rainwater by checking the run-off water. Vetiver grass is grown across the slope for same purpose. People try number of location specific mechanical and biological measures to conserve the soil

Objectives:
1. To record soil and water conservation practices in your locality practiced over the years
2. To analyse the causes/reasons behind such practices
3. To assess the benefits of such practices followed by the farmers/community

Methodology:
• The children have to survey the locality where the farmers/ people practice soil and water conservation
• Identify the conservation practices against soil erosion and water run off
• Observe the details of practices as mentioned in the table
• Identify some easily measurable parameters by which the efficacy of the practices can be measured

Table: List of practices followed to conserve land and soil

Note : Table is not included.

Relevance:
This study will provide good information on land and soil conservation practices practiced by the farmers.