Implementation of Soil and Water Conservation Measures in Hel-Longa Watershed, Dotma Block, Kokrajhar District, Assam: Case Study

Abstract

Of all the natural endowments soil and water are the basic resources essential for the existence of life. Accordingly, they demand appropriate management to ensure continuity of life. Over the last few decades there has been a continuous depletion of land resources due to various factors like soil erosion, deforestation, mining, overgrazing, general mismanagement, improper utilization to name a few. It takes nature about 600-1000 years to form 1" of nutrient rich top soil but the same soil gets eroded in 2-3 rainfall events if rendered barren. The result is siltation of riverbeds and subsequent floods. The Hel-Longa watershed in Dotma block of Kokrajhar district, Assam was taken up for treatment through soil and water conservation measures with an aim to restore the ecological balance lost due to deforestation and conversion of forest land into agricultural land. The reasons for degradation are unscientific exploitation of land, reduction in forest cover leading to loss of topsoil and its fertility status, accelerated soil erosion due mainly to unabated high-velocity surface runoff due to deforestation during the last decade. The present study revealed that the Hel-Longa watershed was treated with various soil and water conservation measures so as to restore the local ecological setting and to keep the area sustainable.