Suppose you visit your native village after about 10 years. The village lies in a semiarid region and receives rainfall of 500 mm. Traditionally in the farming village, the villagers used to practice mixed cropping of sorghum, pearl millet, pigeon pea, chickpea, and groundnut. But over the last 15 years, they have shifted to paddy (rice) cultivation in over 90% of the farming land. There are three small lakes in the village, but the farmers rely on tube-wells for irrigation. When you took a tour of the village, you found that two of the lakes have dried up while the surface of the third lake is covered with an overgrowth of algae. Explain the reasons for the condition of the three lakes. Also, suggest measures that the villagers need to adopt to restore these wetlands to their original condition.
Dear student,
Reasons for the condition of the three lakes are:
1) Stoppage of mixed farming
2) Rice farming uses excessive water
3) Over dependence on tube well for irrigation. Continuous use of groundwater for tubewell irrigation has led to the depletion of the water-table.
4) There exists no further scope to increase farm production by bringing new land under cultivation.
Measures that the villagers need to adopt to restore these wetlands to their original condition are:
1. Removing of the weeds regularly either manually or by machines.
2. As the seeds of the weeds spread fast, biological control could be more effective.
3. Cleaning the lake water and development of sericulture.
4. Removing the unwanted silt to maintain the depth.
5. Maintaining a distance of 1 m or so, a fence should be made at least 6' high so that people are not able to throw the garbage. The iron fence will allow public to view the beauty of the lake, and the cool air coming from the lake will keep the area cool.
6. Planting of shady trees in and around the small reservoir may also reduce the evaporation.
7.Wetlands now in agricultural use can typically be reestablished by cessation of planting crops or domestic animal foraging, breaking drainage tiles, filling in drainage ditches, and if feasible, removing flood control structures.
8. Afforestation can be done in these places. This will also help in reducing the siltation in wetland catchment area.
9. Mixed farming should be practiced once again.
Regards
Reasons for the condition of the three lakes are:
1) Stoppage of mixed farming
2) Rice farming uses excessive water
3) Over dependence on tube well for irrigation. Continuous use of groundwater for tubewell irrigation has led to the depletion of the water-table.
4) There exists no further scope to increase farm production by bringing new land under cultivation.
Measures that the villagers need to adopt to restore these wetlands to their original condition are:
1. Removing of the weeds regularly either manually or by machines.
2. As the seeds of the weeds spread fast, biological control could be more effective.
3. Cleaning the lake water and development of sericulture.
4. Removing the unwanted silt to maintain the depth.
5. Maintaining a distance of 1 m or so, a fence should be made at least 6' high so that people are not able to throw the garbage. The iron fence will allow public to view the beauty of the lake, and the cool air coming from the lake will keep the area cool.
6. Planting of shady trees in and around the small reservoir may also reduce the evaporation.
7.Wetlands now in agricultural use can typically be reestablished by cessation of planting crops or domestic animal foraging, breaking drainage tiles, filling in drainage ditches, and if feasible, removing flood control structures.
8. Afforestation can be done in these places. This will also help in reducing the siltation in wetland catchment area.
9. Mixed farming should be practiced once again.
Regards