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

Revitalization of Rivers In India
Draft Policy Recommendation
• Poor Irrigation and Water Management
• Poor Crop Rotations
• Pesticide Overuse and Soil Pollution
Considering the influence of agroecology, it was found that the areas under
crops with shorter growing period (< 90–150 days) cultivated with short
duration crops viz., rice, wheat, millets, maize, chari (fodder), pulses,
cotton, mustard, and gram (soils of Northern and Western plains and
Central (Malwa) highlands) are more prone to soil degradation. The reason
being lack of adequate vegetative cover during a major part of the year
that would protect the soil against the forces of rain and wind, causing
erosion. Whereas, agro-eco regions which possessed perennial vegetation/
crops with longer growing periods of 250+ days (Andaman-Nicobar and
Lakshadweep), registered the least degradation.
These results indicate the nature of agricultural land use strategy that
needs to be implemented in order to reduce the damage happening to the
precious soil resource. Increasing area under long-duration and tree-based
crops can effectively reduce soil erosion losses.
Moreover, a higher rate of decomposition of organic matter under Indian
conditions, unlike in temperate climates, necessitates regular addition of
crop residues and cattle excreta to maintain the soil’s health. Only organic
matter addition can lead to a balanced state of the soil’s physical (structural
development and movement of water and air), chemical (high nutrient
holding capacity) and biological properties (microbial diversity).
Hence, cropping systems need to be redesigned from an exploitative mode to a
conservative mode, considering the soil not just as a medium but an ecosystem.
Based on already available evidence, the adoption of conservation agriculture
(minimal tillage and crop residue mulching) in a diversified cropping system
comprising horticulture crops (including fruit trees and vegetables), fodder crops
(trees and grasses), and agroforestry, along with biological approaches of nutrient
management and plant protection supported by livestock is recommended as a
participatory resource conservation and management approach. The potential of
Annexures
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