Sloping Agricultural Land Technology for Sustainable Production, Resource Conservation and Economic Improvement in Shivalik Himalayas

Abstract

A major part of these, i.e., 51.43 million ha lies in the Himalayan region (Dhandapani and Rath, 2004). North-western Shivalik region (lower Himalayas) is generally up to 1000 m elevation and it covers an area of 3.33 million ha (Yadav et al., 2015). These sloping lands are prone to severe soil erosion. Singh et al., (1992) reported soil erosion varying from 5 Mg ha-1 yr-1 to over 80 Mg ha-1 yr-1 in Shivalik hills. Yadav and Sidhu (2010) reported erosion rates from 0.08 to 683.1 Mg ha-1 yr-1 in Himachal Pradesh. In Himalayan region of India population density is 73 persons per km2 which is second highest among eight countries of Hindu Kush Himalayan Region (Pratap, 1998). This population pressure is increasing rapidly and thus will lead to more degradation of these sloping lands. Shivalik region receives on an average of more than 1100 mm rainfall but still faces scarcity of water for crops. In many areas, it has single cropping system due to lack of irrigation sources (canal irrigation, underground water) as the region has rolling and undulating topography. Efforts were made to develop a land use system for sloping lands termed as Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) which can provide multiple outputs for livelihood security along with conservation of natural resources.