Soil Conservation in Catchment Area of the Ghambar Nadi in Tahsil Kandaghat of PEPSU state

Abstract

The Ghambar Nadi constitutes one of the tributaries of the River Sutlej in the outer Himalayas. The catch- ment area of the Sutlej has attracted atten- tion due to construction of the Bhakra Dam at a cost of about two hundred crores of rupees. This dam would be 40 miles in length and is a major project of national importance in northern India for the pro- duction of hydro-electric power and run- ning a network of canals for irrigating lacs of acres of agricultural land in the States of Punjab, PEPSU and Rajasthan.

Monsoon rains being confined to a short period are generally heavy so millions of tons of silt flows down annually from the catch- ment area. Its deposition at the dam site would reduce the storage capacity of the reservoir and thus effect its life. To clean this silt a huge sum would be required to be spent. With a view to minimize the quan- tity of silt flow for the successful working of the project and to regulate the flow of water, soil conservation measures were considered essential in the catchment area. All the States, in whose territories the catchment area lay, were asked by Government of India to draw up plans for soil conservation under the guidance of the Bhakra Control Board. A plan for " Afforestation of the catchment area of the Bhakra Dam in PEPSU " was prepared by the PEPSU Forest Department and it was approved by the State Govern- ment to cost rupees five lacs. This plan was taken in hand in June 1952. On the expiry of this plan on 31st March 1956, the works would be continued under Second Five Year Plan.