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

Revitalization of Rivers In India
Draft Policy Recommendation
The biotic pump theory (Makarieva and Gorshkov, 2007) suggests that the
atmospheric circulation that brings rainfall to continental interiors is driven
and maintained by large continuous areas of forest beginning from coasts. The
theory explains that, through transpiration and condensation, forests or trees
actively create low pressure regions that drain moist air from the oceans, thereby
generating prevailing winds capable of carrying moisture and sustaining rainfall
far within continents (Nobre, 2014).
FORESTS REGULATE WATER SUPPLIES
Forests may be particularly important for the so-called “water towers” of
larger regions. High altitude forests have a special ability to intercept and cloud
droplets. Condensation on plant surfaces, including dense epiphytic lichen and
moss communities, provide additional moisture for tree growth, ET, infiltration,
groundwater recharge, and ultimately runoff (Pepin et al., 2010). Montane cloud
forests appear to exhibit higher rates of infiltration and dry season flow than
lands converted to agriculture (Munoz Vilers et al., 2015).
Scientific evidence typically highlights substantial losses in stream flow following
afforestation and reforestation, while forest clearing results in increased stream
flow. The dominant paradigm implies a tradeoff between carbon sequestration
and ground water recharge.
While tree and forest removal is well known for raising the likelihood of floods,
the corollary that the planting of trees and forests can reduce flooding, has been
far more controversial (Van Noordwijk and Tanika, 2016).
Ravines are the network of gullies running parallel and discharging into rivers. India
has 3.67 mha of ravine lands, which constitute 1.12% of the total geographical area of
328 mha. Very extensive degradation of land has occurred along some of the major
river systems of the country in various states in the form of deep gullies (NCA, 1976).
The ravine lands are degraded by lands associated with several constraints for
vegetation growth due to vicarious climate, poor soil fertility, low soil moisture,
extreme variation in temperature, and heavy biotic pressure.
Annexures
415