Status of Soil and Water Conservation Practices for Rangelands in India

Abstract

Rangelands occupy considerable hectarage in India but receive little attention for soil and water conservation measures. Of the total 27.972 million ha land (both cultivable and non-cultivable) treated with soil conservation measures only 3.005 m. ha (10.63% of total treated) was nonarable land. Low cost practices viz. contour trenching, furrowing, diking and staggered pitting are common. Water spreading a popular conservation practice in many and and semiarid regions is yet to be adopted. Mechanical operation of contour furrowing and staggered contour pitting with pitting implements can go a long way in enhancing productivity of these lands.