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Schemes/Models
The activities of the Soil Conservation Department are carried out under various Plans and Programmes as under;
- State Plan (State Sector and District Sector)
- Sponsored Programmes
- Special Programmes
State Plan
- Survey & Project Formulation
- Land Slide Control
- Soil and Water Conservation
- Nallah Bank Erosion Control
- Drainage Line Treatment
- Control of Erosion along National Highway
- Sisal Propagation Programme
- Ladakh Soil Conservation Programme
- Research and Demonstration
- Augmentation/Consolidation of Soil Conservation Works
- Monitoring & Evaluation
- Building
- Machinery & Equipment
Survey and Project Formulation
The State of Jammu & Kashmir being hilly has a serious problem of soil erosion and large tracts have been rendered unproductive because of extensive damage due to accelerated erosion. The science of soil conservation therefore has assumed peculiar importance to save land from various hazards of soil erosion in general and life and property of people of the state in particular.
To assess, the magnitude of soil erosion in particular area, the department has developed a methodology based on study of various parameters of soil like, slope, land use, gully formation, vegetative cover etc. For successful implementation of any programme, formation of well drafted comprehensive project reports based on scientific consideration and field survey is the back bone of such programmes. The department has thus engaged itself to identify such new areas with a peculiar soil erosion problem and project reports are drafted for implementation.
The programme is on-going in view of new challenges due to coming up of new power projects, railways, four lanning of roads etc.
Land Slide Control
The land sliding is a natural phenomenon and controlling it in its entirety is ruled out. However, if proper and timely retentive and corrective measures are taken, further sliding can be checked to a large extent. This scheme is taken up under District Sector in all the districts of the State except Leh and Kargil Districts where specialized programme specific to snow bound areas of Kargil and silvi-pastoral units in Leh District is undertaken.
Under this scheme works are taken on the slopes which are badly damaged because of landslides in the past to stabilize them and prevent further damage. Further the areas prone to landslides because of their steep slope, degradation and exposure are also taken so that occurrence of landslides in such areas is prevented. This requires massive biological and abiological measures like afforestation with trees and bushes, construction of catch water drains, check dams at proper intervals check walls, gully stabilization etc.
Soil and Water Conservation
Soil & Water are two extremely vital land resources intrinsically linked to survival and existence of mankind. Excessive use of these resources has made them unsustainable. Under the present scenario, it has become imperative to take up the measures for effective conservation of soil and harvesting of natural water resources within the catchments including the ground water recharge. Under this programme, integrated interventions, both vegetative as well as mechanical are carried out in the identified area with an objective of in-situ conservation of soil & water. The scheme ensures sustainable socio-economic development of people on multidisciplinary approach with close cooperation of stake holders.
Nallah Bank Erosion Control
Valuable productive land of catchments is often subjected to erosion process due to turbulent run-off, change in course of streams and nallahs. Hence, in order to protect the land from nallah bank erosion, this scheme is under its implementation. Vegetative as well as minor engineering works are carried out in such vulnerable area so as to protect this valuable land resource. By this process, the water sources, control of soil erosion and damages caused due to heavy floods which causes damage to Forest/ Agriculture lands is preserved.
Drainage line Treatment
The effect of the turbulent run-off of seasonal nallahs and small rivers is required to be arrested by establishing various minor engineering works so as to avert the chances of erosion along the drainage lines. Scheme aim at effective management of drainage line, thereby reducing flow of debris and silt load to the water bodies and avert enormous costs of desiltation. To protect the lower area under agriculture and forest, the catchment areas from top is taken to conserve not only the soil but also improve the moisture regime of entire catchment.
Control of Erosion along National Highway
Jammu – Srinagar National Highway 1A being the only surface link between Kashmir valley and rest of country, as such , besides having high strategic importance, the highway do have great significance for smooth flow of men, machinery, goods & services and logistics. Land slips / landslides during the rainy season frequently obstruct the highway, thus, cause great loss to life and property. The scheme of Control of erosion on National Highway aims at tackling such bottlenecks created by landslides or land slips so as to ensure smooth flow of traffic. A detailed scheme formulated has been submitted to State Govt. for funding from Govt. of India, which is awaited. To start with, small pockets of minor slips, which may pose a threat to the vehicular traffic are taken up within the limited budgetary allocations till the scheme submitted is sanctioned for its implementation.
Sisal Propogation Programme
To tackle the menace of minor soil erosion problems in the dry sub-tropical region of Jammu province hand in hand with generating raw-material for cottage industry, the scheme of Sisal Propagation is being implemented for stabilization of minor slips and other erosion prone areas. Sisal has proved a good soil binder introduced by the Department in the State in eighties after its procurement from outside the state.
Ladakh Soil Conservation Programme
Ladakh being a cold desert of the state , it has typical and special problems of soil & water conservation. Ladakh Soil Conservation programme is being implemented in this cold desert area to evolve methodology aimed at arrest of wind erosion and conservation of scanty moisture in the region.
Research and Demonstration
The research & development component is extremely vital to any growing organisation. Undertaking of various scientific studies, standardization of various soil & water conservation models, determination of their efficacy in the field conditions, implementing the recommended menu of treatments and monitoring their after-effects, holding workshops /seminars on research priorities etc. are such facets of Soil Conservation Department. Under this scheme, emphasis is laid on undertaking such scientific studies with short term objectives as well as long term plans.
Augmentation/Consolidation of Soil Conservation Works
The effectiveness of conservation works and other interventions in the field can only be assured if the works carried out in past years are protected, maintained and managed effectively besides augmenting such activities wherever required. Under this scheme, the effective measures are taken to augment and consolidate the past works, wherever required.
Monitoring & Evaluation
For effective transparency and accountability, proper monitoring is conducted by evaluation of Soil conservation schemes. For this purpose, the Government has provided a team of Planning and Statistics Personnel in 2010 headed by Deputy Director, (Planning & Statistics) with other connected staff for evaluation and maintenance of records as well. For field evaluation, the technical officers/staff is assisting the team heads. The scheme includes Revenue component for salary of staff as well.
Building
To curtail the expenditure on Rent, Rates and taxes. The Department has undertaken the construction of District Offices in phased manner in view of limited provision under the programme. The Department has made certain Divisional Offices at District Level functional and the process is going on for raising the departmental infrastructure of its own.
Further, the Department also require raising Head Office at Jammu for Direction Office and Regional office Jammu as the Department is running its Regional office on rentals. Similarly construction of the Regional Office at Srinagar is also need of the hour.
Machinery & Equipment
For smooth running of government work in implementation of Soil & Water Conservation Programmes in the state, the immediate requirement of the machinery and equipments are met out.
Sponsored Programmes
Under this programme, the Department is tackling such areas where other Departments / organisations like; JKPDC, NHPC, PHE, Railways etc. Come up with new Project for power generation, connectivity of road and railways.
To protect and treat such prestigious redeveloping areas/projects, Soil Conservation measures are taken up in collaboration with concerned Departments wherever needed, which is funded by the sponsoring agencies. The Department is in collaboration with Forest Division Leh also managing the catchment of NHPC sponsored Buzgoo HE Project in Leh District.
Special Programmes
Artificial Ground Water Recharge
In view of the depletion of water, the Department is associated with the development of artificial ground water recharge particularly in areas of kandi in Jammu and karewa in Kashmir, where water is already sparse. The programme is aimed to conserve water for effective use by local populace to enhance their drinking, agricultural, cattle facilities etc. The programme has been taken up in 2010 with Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India which sanctioned 3 schemes in Kathua and Rajouri Districts in first instance. The Department is taking up some more schemes to extend its scope in other areas in collaboration with Central Ground Water Board.
Border Area Development Plan
The Department of Soil Conservation is associated with the development of border areas by way of implementing BADP in almost all border districts of the state. Mainly soil and water conservation works are carried out under this programme, however, in Leh, the winter reserve pasture closures are also developed and managed under this scheme to meet the fodder requirements of sheep and goat in Changthang belt as these pasture units serve as natural dispersing seed production areas enhancing the fodder production of cold desert of ladakh, thus, are very important for local economy.
Tribal Sub-Plan
Under this plan, funds are being provided by the Social Welfare Department exclusively for undertaking various soil & water conservation activities in tribal areas of the state aimed at the welfare and well being of the tribal population.
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