Revitalization of Rivers in India Draft Policy - Isha Guru Jaggi Vasudev

Revitalization of Rivers In India
Draft Policy Recommendation
4. ADAPTIVE SOLUTION FOR CLIMATE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES
Climate change vulnerabilities and impacts are highly diverse and locally specific,
long term and difficult to predict. Based on different definitions of climate and
non-climate related adaptation, IPCC in 1996 defined adaptability and adaptation
as follows: “Adaptability refers to the degree to which adjustments are possible
in practices, processes or structures of systems to projected or actual changes
of climate. Adaptation can be spontaneous or planned, and can be carried out in
response to or in anticipation of changes in conditions.” Adaptation therefore,
involves adjustments to climate variability and change in order to decrease the
vulnerability of communities, regions, and nations.
4.1 River-bank Plantations
There are many areas where river lengths are considerable. The ground on either
side of the river is partly within reach of the high level of water during periods
of flooding. Beyond this level – and on the fringes of the agricultural land – strip
plantation can be established to produce wood, fuelwood and fodder. Generally,
the width of such strips is limited but does constitute a useful and productive
linear plantation. Underground water is available at different levels. The species
to be planted should be matched with this water level variation. Spacing within
and between the rows depends on the characteristics of the species and the
rotation planned for the crop. In the more arid areas, trees with xerophytic habit
constitute the outermost rows while those close to the river bank are the ones
with higher water requirement. In such locations, phreatophyte species such
as Populus spp., Acacia nilotica, Dalbergio sisso, Prosopis spp. can be planted. 21
River bank plantation also acts as a shelter belt for protection against extreme
weather events, like floods and cyclones. It also provides a suitable habitat
for the avian species and tree species that are inter-dependent for existence.
Species suitable for canal or river bank plantations are those which can yield
fuel, pulpwood and timber. Bamboo and teak raised in suitable well drained soils
will prove of high economic value. Bamboo can be harvested every 3 to 4 years.
The other species recommended are Eugenia ambolana, Dalbergia sissoo, Mangifera
indica, Acacia arabica, Ailanthus excelsa, Terminalia arjuna, T. belerica, Pongamia glabra,
Muduca latifolia, Tamarindus indica, Azadirechta indica, Sesbania species and Casuarina
equisetifolia. 22
Annexures
379