Coastal Salinity Prevention and Mitigation Initiative in Mundra and Mandvi Taluka, Kachchh District, Gujarat

Abstract

Project area is located on the Coast of Gulf of Kachchh has an area of 265 sq km and receives an annual average rainfall of 440 mm. Aquifers of the Manchar Series and alluvium supports the well irrigation in the area. Due to frequent droughts since 1981, ground water is over exploited for the sustenance of agriculture. This has resulted in steep declining of water levels causing sea water intrusion into coastal aquifers and at several places hydraulic gradients have reversed from sea towards land and the salinity ingress has extended towards land by about 18 km. Using the high saline water for irrigation, thousands of hectares of land has become uncultivable, thus affecting the agricultural economy of the area. To mitigate the effects of salinity ingress, a multi disciplinary Rainwater harvesting project was taken up in the outfall area, which includes intercepting the wasteful flood runoff through suitable harvesting structures at appropriate locations and recharge deep depleted aquifers to revive the wells and tubewells and conserve the water through various efficient irrigation water saving techniques. The results obtained are very encouraging and the paper brings out the importance of multidisciplinary scientific approach and involvement of local community for the success of the project.

Activities of the Vivekanand Research & Training Institute (VRTI)

Under Training and Awareness 3,180 farmers were trained by conducting 153 training programmes by the agricultural and other experts on the subjects of soil, water and crop management. Farmers were exposed to other area having similar problems and how they are managing it by conducting 32 exposure tours. Seven workshops were conducted by experts from various organizations to discuss the problem of the area and how to overcome and 1005 farmers participated. 15 Lok Dayara (Folk Plays) was conducted in different villages to spread the awareness and 3802 farmers attended the programme.

Under Rainwater Harvesting 32 check dams, 38 percolation tanks, 2 recharge tube wells, 38 farm ponds, and 36 farm bounds one storage tank were constructed which have storage capacity of 181 Mcft.(50,87,600 Cu.m).

Under water Conservation, Drip irrigation was installed in 90 ha and 63710 m of PVC pipes were laid in 450 ha for field irrigation in place of flood channel.

( Total water saving:11,35,383 Cu.m / Year)

Under agriculture improvement, Soil reclamation, Trench irrigation, New salt tolerant crops like sugar beet and compost preparation pits were constructed. All these activities have been carried out through people contribution.