Natural Development of Waterlogged Eco-system for Sustainable Production

Abstract

Poor irrigation water management .and inadequate and insufficient drainage system has rendered vast tracts of irrigated and fertile land unproductive due to the waterlogging and high moisture content. Integrated natural development of such waterlogged eco- system has been taken up under NWDPRA with a strategy to achieve the twin objectives of sustainable production of food, fruit fuel and bio-mass and restoration of ecological balances in accordance with the natural configurations of the watershed. The moisture conservation along with terrestrial, aquatic and in-door farming systems have shown that the technology adopted is fully sustainable and the natural development of waterlogged eco-system can be Successfully achieved. The vertical drainage and intensive cultivation has lowered down the watertable from 2.8m • in pre-project situation to 3.9m after the implementation of the works. The crop productivity of different crops has increased from 20 to 138 per cent. The benefit cost ration of aqua-farming i.e., waternut cultivation and fish culture is 1.21 :1 and 9.03:1 respectively. Similarly mushroom cultivation' has provided additional income to self help Groups involved in this occupation. The natural development of waterlogged eco-system is possible under integrated Watershed Management with full and effective involvement of watershed community from planning to implementation stage.