Skip to main content

Agroforestry for Wasteland Rehabilitation: Mined, Ravine, and Degraded Watershed Areas

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Agroforestry Systems in India: Livelihood Security & Ecosystem Services

Part of the book series: Advances in Agroforestry ((ADAG,volume 10))

Abstract

Wasteland is defined in various ways by different agencies. However, in general it represents degraded, unused, and uncultivated lands. These lands have utilized in recent past to bridge the gap between demand and supply of food, fodder, timber, and also for resource conservation. Area under mines in the country is about 0.19 m ha and ravine lands 4 m ha. Though mining is important for industrial growth, it also has negative impact on the environment and renders the land unproductive. Rehabilitation of such degraded areas requires systematic and scientific approach which includes proper survey, choice of species, and techniques for establishment of plant species. Rehabilitation of ravine lands involves treatment of table and marginal lands contributing runoff to the gullies and proper gullies/ravines on watershed basis. It requires an integrated approach of using gullies according to land capability classes, soil, and water conservation measures and putting land under permanent vegetation cover involving, afforestation, agroforestry, horticulture, pasture, and energy plantations. Watershed development has become the major intervention for managing natural resources. Majority of the watersheds in the country are degraded and suffer from poor productivity, biotic pressure, acute fodder shortage, poor livestock productivity, poverty, water scarcity, and poor infrastructure. A multitier ridge to valley sequenced approach is required to treat the watersheds for enhancing productivity and resource conservation. This chapter deals with the aapproaches for development of mined, ravine, and degraded watersheds through bioengineering, afforestation, and agroforestry along with success stories.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ang LH (1994) Problems and prospects of afforestation on sandy tin tailings in peninsular. Malaysia. J Trop For Sci 7:87–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Bali YP, Karale RL (1977) Reclamability classification of ravines for agriculture. Soil Conserv Digest 5(2):40–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhushan LS, Tiwari AK, Mishra PR (1986) Contour trenching—an effective measure to control erosion on sloping lands. In: Proceeding national symposium on problems of arid and semi- arid regions and their remedial measures, Jodhpur, 08–09 Feb 1986, pp 83–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw AD (1997) The importance of soil ecology in restoration science. In: Urbanska KM, Webb NR, Edwards PJ (eds) Restoration ecology and sustainable development. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 33–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Champion HG, Seth SK (1968) A Revised survey of forest types of India. Controller of Publication, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaterjee PC (1988) Mine spoils and their rehabilitation. In: Mining and environment in India. H.R. Publishers, Nanital, pp 394–409

    Google Scholar 

  • Chinamani S, Prakash C, Rathore BL (1985) Goat grazing in ravines and its effect on runoff and soil loss—a preliminary note. In: National seminar on soil conservation and watershed management, New Delhi, p 20

    Google Scholar 

  • Chinnamani S (1986) Forestry, social forestry and agroforestry in ravine reclamation. Lecture delivered at the Summer Inst.,‘Wasteland in Arid and Semi-arid zones and technologies for their Improved Utilization’ CAZRI, Jodhpur

    Google Scholar 

  • Corbett EA, Anderson RC, Rodgers CS (1996) Prairie revegetation of a strip mine in Illinois: fifteen years after establishment. Restor Ecol 4:346–354

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dadhwal KS, Juyal GP (2012) Agroforestry for rehabilitation of mines poils in Dehradun valley. In: Panwar P, Tiwari AK, Dadhwal KS (eds) Agroforestry system for resource conservation and livelihood security in lower Himalayas. New India Publishing Agency, New Delhi, pp 117–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Dadhwal KS, Singh B, Narain P (1991) Effect of placing and mixing of a normal soil on the performance of two grasses in limestone minespoil. J Indian Soc Soil Sci 39(4):751–756

    Google Scholar 

  • Dadhwal KS, Singh B, Narain P (1992) Characteristics of limestone minespoil/debris from outer Himalayas of Uttar Pradesh. Indian For 118(9):650–658

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (1987a) Species composition and plant biomass of an ungrazed and a grazed grassland at Ujjain, India. Trop Ecol 28:208–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (1987b) Responses of clipping treatments on nine palatable perennial grasses. Trop Ecol 28:216–221

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (1987c) Studies on reclamation of Kshipra ravines. Indian J For 10(2):83–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (1995) Soil conservation values of some grasses and forbs. Proc Indian Nat Sci Acad B 61:163–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (2001) Biological spectrum and successional trends in Kshipra watershed areas. Indian J For 24(3):351–356

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC, Mall LP (1980) Studies on the vegetation of ravines and banks of the river Kshipra and its tributaries. J Indian Bot Soc 59:234–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC, Pathak PS (2005) Grassland dynamics and their management. Range Manag Agrofor 26(1):7–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC, Singh VP (1980) The ecological studies of the vegetation of the river Kshipra and its tributaries. Biologia 26(1):43–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Narayan Dev, Bhushan LS (2002) Interrelationship between crop canopy and erosion parameters in alluvial soils. Indian J Soil Conserv 30(1):41–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhyani SK, Dadhwal KS, Katiyar VS (1988) Biological measures for rehabilitation of abandoned minespoil areas. Indian Farm 38(7):15–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhyani SK, Sharda VN, Juyal GP (2007) Training manual- soil conservation and watershed management : conservation forestry and watershed management. In: CSWCR&TI, Dehradun, p 315

    Google Scholar 

  • Dobson AP, Bradshaw AD, Baker AJM (1997) Hopes for the future: restoration ecology and conservation biology. Science 277:515–522

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Filcheva E, Noustorova M, Gentcheva-Kostadinova SV, Haigh MJ (2000) Organic accumulation and microbial action in surface coal-mine spoils. Pernik Bulgaria Ecol Eng 15:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gautam NC, Narayan LRA (1988) Wastelands in India. Pink Publishing House, Mathura, p 96

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh BN (2010) Vegetative barriers for erosion control in western Himalayan region. Technology Brochure. CSWCRTI, Dehradun p. 8

    Google Scholar 

  • Grunwald C, Iverson LR, Szafoni DB (1988) Abandoned mines in Illinois and North Dakota: towards an understanding of revegetation problems in rehabilitating damaged ecosystems. CRC Press, Boca Raton, vol 1, pp 40–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Iverson LR, Wali MK (1982) Reclamation of coal mined lands: the role of Kochiascoparia and other pioneers in early succession. Relam Reveg Res 1:123–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Jha AK, Singh JS (1991) Spoil characteristics and vegetation development of an age series of minespoils in a dry tropical environment. Vegetation 91:63–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Jha MN (1987) Environmental management of mining operations in SingrauliCoalfieds—NCC. In: Dhar BB(ed) Proceeding national workshop on environmental management of mining operations in India. BHU, Varanasi, pp 47–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi PK, Jha AK, Wani SP, Joshi L, Shiyani RL (2005) Meta-analysis to assess impact of watershed program and people’s participation. Research report 8, comprehensive assessment of watershed management in agriculture. International crops research institute for the semi-arid tropics and Asian development Bank, 21p

    Google Scholar 

  • Juyal GP, Katiyar VS, Dadhwal KS, Joshie P (1998) Reclamation of mine spoils in outer Himalayas. In: Bhushan LS, Abrol IP, Rama MS Mohan Rao (eds) Soil and water conservation: challenges and opportunities. 8th ISCO conference. Indian Association Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun, pp 1384–1392

    Google Scholar 

  • Juyal GP, Katiyar VS, Dhadwal KS, Joshie P, Arya RK (2007) Mined area rehabilitation in Himalayas-Shastradhara experience. Central Soil and water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Dehradun, p 104

    Google Scholar 

  • Khanna LS (1996) Principles and practice of silviculture. Khanna Bandhu, Dehradun, pp 377–380

    Google Scholar 

  • Khullar DR (2006) “Mineral Resources”, India: a comprehensive geography. Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi, pp 630–659

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamb D (1988) IUCN guidelines for restoration of degraded ecosystems. draft- world conservation union (IUCN), Gland, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • Luna RK (2006) Plantation forestry in India. Offset Printers and Publishers, Dehradun, pp 361–386

    Google Scholar 

  • Maji AK, Reddy, GPO, Sarkar D (2010) Degraded and Wastelands of India: Status and Spatial Distribution. Directorate of Information and Publications of Agriculture. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, p 158

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandal D, Sharda VN, TiwariA (2008) Soil loss tolerance limits in planning conservation measures in different districts of India. In: CSWCRTI, Dehradun, India, p 112

    Google Scholar 

  • Mishra CSK, Rath Monalisa (2013) Wasteland reclamation: novel approaches. Ecoscan 3:99–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (2001) Compendium of environment statistics. Central Statistical Organisation, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Govt. of India

    Google Scholar 

  • Narayana MP (1987) Neyveli open cast mine. A review of environmental management of mining operation in India. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, pp 54–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Norland MR (1993) Bureau of mines information. US Department of the Interior, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Noyd RK, Pfleger FL, Norland MR, Hall DL (1997) Native plant productivity and litter decomposition in reclamation of taconite iron ore tailing. J Environ Qual 26:682–687

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • NRSC (2011) Wastelands Atlas of India. Change Analysis Based on Temporal Satellite Data of 2005-06 and 2008-09. National Remote Sensing Centre, Hyderabad, p 268

    Google Scholar 

  • Oldeman LR (1991) Global extent of soil degradation. Bi-ennial report, ISRIC, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Palsaniya DR, Ramesh S, Yadav RS, Tewari RK, Dhyani SK (2011) Now it is water all the way in Garhkundar-Dabar watershed of drought prone semi-arid Bundelkhand, India. Curr Sci 100(9):1287–1288

    Google Scholar 

  • Parandiyal AK, Kumar A, Prasad A, Singh KD (2006) Study of tree crop association under boundry plantation system in south eastern Rajasthan. Abs.: National symposium for livelihood security, environmental protection and biofuel production, NRC Agroforestry, Jhansi, 16–18 Dec 2006

    Google Scholar 

  • Parandiyal, AK, Samara JS, Singh KD, Singh Ratan, Rathore BL (2000) Floristic diversity of Chambal Ravines under varying levels of protection. Indian J. Soil Cons. 28 (2): 160-166

    Google Scholar 

  • Parrotta JA (1992) The role of plantation forests in rehabilitating degraded tropical ecosystems. Agric Ecosyst Environ 41:115–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parsad R, Chadhar SK (1987) Grevillea pteridifolia successful introduction to mined out areas of Madhya Pradesh. Indian For 113(10 & 11):110–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfleger FL, Stewart EL, Noyd RK (1994) Role of VAM fungi in mine land reclamation. In: Pfleger FL, Linderman R (eds) Mycorrhizae and plant health. American Phytopathological Society Press, St. Paul, pp 47–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Prajapati MC (1995) Floristic wealth of Yamuna ravines. Indian J Soil Cons 23(1):4–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Prajapati MC, Joshi P, Rathore BL, Dubey LN (1982) Surface water management for grass and tree land development in ravinous watersheds—a case study. Indian J Soil Conserv 10(2 and 3):30–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Prajapati MC, Nambiar KTN, Puri DN, Singh JP, Malhotra BM (1993) Fuel and fodder production in Yamuna ravines at Agra. Indian J Soil Conserv 21(3):8–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Prajapati MC, Tiwari AK, Nambiar KTN, Singh JP, Malhotra BM, Sharda VN (1989) Effect of goat grazing on vegetation, runoff and soil loss in a stabilized ravine watershed vis-à-vis animal growth. Indian J Soil Conserv 17(1):9–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Prakash C, Rao DH, Verma B, Chinamani S, Prajapati MC (1987) Hydrological behaviour of small watersheds: under different land uses in Chambal ravines. In: National symposium on land and water management in ravines, CSWCRTI, Research Centre, Agra, 19–22 March, 10p

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad A (1994a) Alley cropping in Leucaena lecocephala with field crops for sustained productivity. In: Proceeding of the international conference on sustainable development of degraded lands through agroforestry in Asia and Pacific, vol 1, New Delhi, Nov 25–30 1994, pp 471–478

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad A (1994b) Shelterbelt of Leucaena and its effect on crop yield in rainfed agroforestry system. In: Proceeding of the international conference on sustainable development of degraded lands through agroforestry in Asia and Pacific, vol 1, New Delhi, Nov 25–30 1994, pp 499–506

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad R (1989) Removal of forest covers through mining and technology for retrieval. J Trop For 5:109–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad R, Chadhal SK (1987) Afforestation of dolomite over burden in Madhya Pradesh. J Trop For 3:124–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad R, Shukla PK (1985) Reclamation and revegetation of coal mine overburden in Madhya Pradesh. J Trop For 1:74–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad R, Shukla PK (1988) Restoration of ecological balance to the bauxite mined areas of Madhya Pradesh. In: Wasteland development for fuelwood and fodder production (a compilation). Forest Research Institute, Dehradun pp 25–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad SN, Srivastava AK, Narain P, Bhola SN (1985) Studies on the Compatibility of field crops with Eucalyptus tereticornis under agroforestry. Indian J Soil Conserv 13:41–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad SN, Verma B, Prasad A, Srivastava AK (1989) Alley cropping in Leucaena for higher productivity and profitability in South–East Rajasthan. Indian J Soil Conserv 17(1):30–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad SN, Verma B, Prasad A, Singh HB (1987) Competition studies on treecrop association with subabool on reclaimed lands of Kota region under rainfed conditions. Abstract no 20. In: National symposium on land and water mangement in ravines. CSWCRTI, Research Centre, Agra, 19–22 March 1987, p 17

    Google Scholar 

  • Putwain PD, Gillham DA (1990) The significance of the dormant viable seed bank in the restoration of heath lands. Biol Conserv 52:1–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramakrishna YS, Rao GGSN, Kausalya Ramachandran, Osman M (2007). Climatic variability, its impact on rain-fed agro-ecosystem and coping strategies. Paper presented in VIII science congress 2007 held at TNAU, Coimbatore, India, Feb 15–17 2007

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts HA (1981) Seed banks in soils. Adv Appl Biol 6:1–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Sajwan SS (1975) Ground flora and their distribution in forest plantation in Jamuna ravines. Indian For 101(5):269–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Sajwan SS (1976) Dominant grasses and their associates in ravinous tracts of Jamuna. Soil Conserv Digest 4(1):26–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Samra JS, Dhyani SK (2001) Role of trees in watershed development. In: Puri Sunil et al (eds) Agroforestry. ICAR, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Samra JS, Narain P (1998) Soil and water conservation. In: Singh GB, Sharama BR (eds) Proceeding 50 years of natural resource management research. NRM division, ICAR, New Delhi, pp 145–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaller N (1993) The concept of agricultural sustainability. Agric Ecosyst Environ 46:89–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sethy BK, Parandiyal AK, Shakir Ali, Ashok Kumar, Singh RK (2011) Cost effective conservation measures for management of medium and deep ravenous lands. Annual report, CSWCRTI, Dehradun, pp 73–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharda VN, Bhushan LS, Raghuvir (1982) Hydrological behaviour of ravinous watersheds under different land uses. In: Proceeding international symposium on hydrological aspects of mountainous watersheds, vol 6, Roorkee, Nov 04–06 1982, pp 14–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharda VN, Sikka AK, Juyal GP (2006) Participatory integrated watershed management—a field manual. CSWCR&TI, Dehradun 366

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharda VN, Venkateswarlu B (2007) Crop diversification and alternate land use systems in watershed management. In: Best-bet options for integrated watershed management. Proceedings of the comprehensive assessment of watershed programs in India, 25–27 July 2007, ICRISAT, Patancheru, pp 111–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma HS (1980) Ravine erosion in India. Concept Publishing Co., New Delhi, pp 1–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh AN, Raghubanshi AS, Singh JS (2002) Plantations as a tool for mine spoil restoration. Curr Sci 82(12):1436–1441

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh JS, Jha AK (1992) Restoration of degraded land: an overview. In: Singh JS (ed) Restoration of degraded land: concepts and strategies. Rastogi Publications, Meerut, pp 1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh JS, Singh KP, Jha AK (1996) Final technical report. Submitted to the Ministry of Coal, Govt. of India, p 116

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh S (2004) Biological reclamation of degraded mined land a sustainability indicator. Eniviron News 10(1):1–3

    Google Scholar 

  • Soni P, Vasistha HB (1986) Reclamation of mine spoils for environmental amelioration. Indian For 112(7):621–631

    Google Scholar 

  • Soni P, Vasistha HB, Kumar Om (1990) Restoration technology for mined lands. In: Proceeding of the national seminar on technologies for afforestation of wastelands, FRI, Dehradun, 6–8 Nov

    Google Scholar 

  • Sreedevi TK,Wani SP, Osman M, Tiwari S (2007) Rehabilitation of degraded lands Watersheds. In: Best-bet options for integrated watershed management. Proceedings of the comprehensive assessment of watershed programs in India, July 25–27 2007, ICRISAT, Patancheru, pp 205–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Tata Energy Research Institute (2001) Overview of mining and mineral industry in India. Report no. 185. Tata Energy Research Institute, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Tejwani KG, Gupta SK, Mathur HN (1975) Classification, control and reclamation of ravine lands. In: Soil and Water Conservation Research (1956–1971). Indian Council of Agricultural Research Publication, New Delhi, pp 254–310

    Google Scholar 

  • Tejwani KG, Dhruvanarayana VV (1961) Soil conservation survey and land use capability planning in the ravine lands of Gujarat. J Indian Soc Soil Sci 9:233–244

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiwari AK, Panwar P, Agnihotri Y (2011) Environment and livelihood security through participatory watershed management in Shivaliks. In: Sobti RC, Singh KP, Tiwari AK (eds) Shiwaliks at a glance- present status and future strategies. Punjab University Press, Chandigarh, pp 136–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Verma B (1981) Twenty classification of ravines for optimum utilization. Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Research Centre, Kota

    Google Scholar 

  • Verma B, Bhushan LS (1986) Management of gullied watersheds. Indian J Soil Consev 14(3):105–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Verma B, Chinamani S (1990) Rehabilitation of ravine lands. In: Abrol IP, Dhruva Naryana VV (eds) Technologies for wasteland development. ICAR, New Delhi, pp 263–272

    Google Scholar 

  • Verma B, Chinamani S, Bhola S N, Rao D H, Prasad S N, Prakash C (1986). Twenty five years of research on soil and water conservation in ravine lands of Rajasthan. Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute Publication, Research Centre, Kota, pp 1–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Verma SK (1988) Environmental aspects of mining activities. In: Mining and environment in India. H.R. Publishers, Nanital, pp 388–393

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogel W G (1973) The effect of herbaceous vegetation on survival and growth of trees planted on coal-mine spoils. In Proceedings of the Research and Applied Technology Symposium in Mined-Land Reclamation, National Coal Association, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: 197-207

    Google Scholar 

  • Wani SP, Sreedevi TK, Reddy TSV, Venkateswarlu B, Prasad CS (2008) Community watersheds for improved likelihoods through consortium approach in drought prone rain-fed areas. J Hydrol Res Dev 23:55–77

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Authors like to acknowledge Director CSWCRTI for providing the necessary facilities and Dr J. C. Dagar, Assistant Director General (Agronomy/Agroforestry), NRM Division (ICAR) for critical suggestions. We are also grateful to all the Scientists of CSWCRTI for their kind help in compiling the information. Special thanks are due to Mr. Laxmi Kant Sharma for providing the photographs.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to O. P. Chaturvedi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer India

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Chaturvedi, O.P., Kaushal, R., Tomar, J.M.S., Prandiyal, A.K., Panwar, P. (2014). Agroforestry for Wasteland Rehabilitation: Mined, Ravine, and Degraded Watershed Areas. In: Dagar, J., Singh, A., Arunachalam, A. (eds) Agroforestry Systems in India: Livelihood Security & Ecosystem Services. Advances in Agroforestry, vol 10. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1662-9_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics