We are ICIMOD, a unique intergovernmental institution leading the global effort to protect the pulse ...
With a vast array of partners, we organize our work in what we call Regional ...
Successful interventions can change lives for the better. We hope that the stories of success ...
1xbet
This site uses cookies, as explained in our terms of use. If you consent, please close this message and continue to use this site.
2 mins Read
For more than two centuries, local farmers have promoted soil and water conservation by protecting the gullies which occur naturally between rice terraces; thus the land area is called ‘jagidol’ (jagi=rice, dol=gully). The small perennial streams which flow through the terraces are protected by constructing check dams and retaining walls to reduce the danger of erosion and collapse.
During the monsoon, the channels or trenches can become engorged and, since their walls are not reinforced (except for grass planted at the edges), the conduits can be easily eroded. When the erosion is severe enough, the edges of the terraces adjacent to the gullies can collapse. When many gullies collapse at once, the stability of the entire hillside is threatened with catastrophic consequences for the village situated above the planting area. Villagers have traditionally used local materials and expertise to maintain the gullies and reduce soil erosion by building retaining walls across the slope which are strengthened through plantation. The retaining walls are bio-engineered using a combination of bamboo poles, rocks, and soil-filled sacks. Bamboo poles are used for the backbone of the support structure, and rocks and soil-filled sacks are used to line the sides of the channel. Local grasses such as ‘sitto’ are planted on the top and, as they grow, their roots help to anchor the structure. When the channels are fortified by retaining walls and planting, they become entrenched and, over time, less maintenance is required. As a bonus, when the plants grown along the gullies mature, they provide biomass for the farm and fodder for cattle. During winter, when water is scarce, farmers modify the gully system by constructing check dams which can be used to collect water in one place. These dams are useful for irrigation during the dry season and they also help to prevent bed scouring.
Sharada Batase VDC, Kabhrepalanchok District, Nepal
WOCAT database reference: QT NEP 25
Location: Sharada Batase VDC,
Kabhrepalanchok District, Nepal
Technology area: 1.1 km2
Conservation measure(s): Vegetative, structural, and management measures
Land Use: Waterways, drainage channels, ponds, dams
Stage of intervention: Mitigation/reduction of land degradation
Origin: Has been practised for generations by the local communities
Climate: Subhumid/sub-tropical
Related approach: Gullies – a traditional sustainable land management practice (QA NEP 25)
Other related technology: Gully plugging using check dams (QT NEP 14)
Compiled by: Sabita Aryal Khanna, Kathmandu University
Date: December 2010, updated March 2013
Integration of vegetative and structural measures for landslip, stream bank and gully stabilisation on hillsides A combination of measures were implemented ...
Promotion of botanical pesticides for organic pest management and liquid manure Production of fresh vegetable is often hampered by pests which ...
Integration of leguminous crops as intercrops on terrace risers or as relay crops Legumes are widely grown across the hills of ...
A treadle pump is a foot operated water lifting device that can be used by smallholder farmers to irrigate their ...
Collection of cattle urine in improved cattle sheds for use as liquid manure and organic pesticide Nitrogen is the most important ...
A plastic-lined dugout pond to store runoff and household waste-water for irrigation purposes during dry periods Water harvesting technology is very ...
A water harvesting system in which rain falling on a roof is led through connecting pipes into a ferro-cement water ...
An irrigation system that delivers small-sized water droplets through a rotating head allowing longer watering time with less runoff Micro-sprinkler irrigation ...