Uttarakhand - Department of Land Resources

Drainage line treatment is essential for a watershed as drainage lines carry run off
and sediment flow. These drainage lines may have different forms such as drainage
channel, gullies, natural/ artificial water ways, streams, rivers or torrents. Network of
these drainage lines, quite often suffers from degradation due to uncontrolled run off
and may go on extending and render and adjoining lands degraded. Drainage line
treatment can be done through check dams which may be vegetative, temporary and
gabion, Torrents also known as raos may be trained by construction of spurs,
protection wall, embankments and bio fencing etc.
WATER HARVESTING TECHNIQUES
Various system of water harvesting depending upon the source of water supply may
be implemented like (a) in-situ rain water harvesting can be done through bunding
and terracing, contour farming, mulching etc. (b) rain water / direct surface run off
harvesting through roof top collection, dug out ponds, storage tank, diversion bunds /
channel etc. (c) Stream flow or run off harvesting through nala bunding, water
harvesting dam, percolation tank/ ponds, (d) Sub surface flow harvesting.
FORESTRY
Afforestation means raising of forest crop on lands which are not already covered
with the forests. Besides, production of fuel, fodder, fiber, fruits and timber, forests
serve the important purpose of preservation of environment and conservation of soil
and water. Although, existing vegetation gives a clear indication of the suitable
species but the choice of the species depends upon various factors. Fast growing,
top feed and drought resistant tree species capable of growing under adverse
condition should be preferred for afforestation purposes. Species like Grewia optiva,
Morus alba, Bauhinia, Salix alba, Robinia pseudoacacia, Eucalyptus, Populus spp.
etc. could be taken up for plantation.
Pasture or grassland management is forage production from all kinds of natural
vegetation edible to livestock, mostly grasses and herbs, on the non- arable lands.
Pasture or grasslands require management by initial range improvement measures,
especially reseeding and planting, and kept in a state of optimum productivity by