Conservation of gullies in susceptible riparian areas of alluvial soil regions

Abstract

Abstract The problem of gully erosion is very severe in the riparian areas of the alluvial deep soil region in India. Research and development have progressed in response to the change in social needs. The earlier strategy of maintenance of law and order has changed to one of reclamation and restoration of the productive capacity of riparian areas. Watershed management in the ravines has been adopted for development of food security, eco‐restoration and pollution control. Case studies on the watershed management in watersheds projects initiated in the mid‐1980s revealed the scope for bringing increased prosperity through crop diversification and eco‐restoration. In consideration of the erosion process, new concepts of management zones and improved conservation and reclamation practices have been developed. The sociological factors have been rationally analysed, as they applied to watershed management in the ravines. A new paradigm of watershed management by group action is necessary in the future. Since the ways of combating the ravine problem and enhancing the productivity of ravine‐degraded lands were made on rational process‐based approach, there is scope for it to be implemented in other countries with similar land and socio‐economic situations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.