Soil and water conservation in the catchments of Manipur

Bonomali Ashem *

Trees at the side of Tiddim road in 2011 : Are they helpful to the cause of soil and water conservation? :: Pix - Jinendra Maibam

This year, there is already a big apprehension of deficit rainfall in the State and it is estimated that there could be a shortfall of 30% in total precipitation against national figure of 23%. In some circles, an alarm has been caused and in the State Assembly, the matter has received a lot of attention already.

There has been a lot of talk on the floor of the House about maintaining a healthy stock of fertilisers so that with a good monsoon shower, the fertiliser could be applied well in time as there is a fear that a bit later in the season, there could be a dry spell.

In the field, most of the farmers have resorted to direct showing as direct shown seedlings are hardier and can withstand drought much better. But, care, weeding and maintenance is much more difficult in direct shown fields and production is also less, but yes, fear of crop failure is comparatively reduced.

While appreciating the wisdom of the house, I may put some basic statistics forward, even under semi rain fed conditions of agriculture; the total rainfall in Manipur is a bit on the higher side.

The average rainfall of the State is 140 cm and if it is 30% less, it could be still above 100 cms rainfall which is above the average rainfall of many of the rice growing states in the country. In the recent past, the rainfall had never been below 100 cms in the Valley. We can also recall that the lack of irrigation facility. It is a big handicap in agriculture and there also had been much talk on this issue.

The Hills of Manipur are the sources of water in the State. A few days back, in the later part of June, the main rivers of Manipur were virtually dry, there was no water flowing in the rivers of Imphal, Iril, Nambul, Kongba and Nambol and we have seen young children playing in the riverbeds. We have also seen even buffalo and cattle wallowing in small pools in the river bed itself. Quite an unpleasant sight.

By then the fear in the minds of citizens were more for drinking water and truly so. The PHED was really worried and started thinking of alternative sources. Had the condition continued for another ten days, the drinking water condition could have been worse. But in spite of receiving 100 to 140 cms of rain a year, should we be so panicky about a little late monsoon? Should we be dead worried if it is 20% to 30% less?

Monsoon is a natural phenomena dependant on certain environmental factors and many other natural conditions and as such fluctuations are bound to happen. It has happened in the past and it will happen in future also. So instead of worrying we have to really think of storing water in the catchments. We have to think of optimising the use of the resources that the nature has bestowed upon us.

The Horticulture and Soil Conservation and Forest and Soil Conservation are two big Departments looking after this serious problem and we are supposed to have experts in these two Departments. We also have the PHED taking care of some catchments. In spite this fact, why every year there should be panic of shortage of drinking water, shortage of monsoon or flood?

We have to really buckle up and tackle this problem on a scientific basis. These Departments are taking up planting of trees over thousands of hectares. They are taking up measures over large extent. But the question is, are these measures effective? Is it right to plant up large extent of catchment area with Pine other plants?

We have seen vast extent of Pines in NH 39 and 53. Are they helpful to the cause of soil and water conservation? Creating pine forest areas in non pine areas or other exotics in important catchments amounts to creating green deserts which are not environmentally right.

Another question that need to be attended is have we identified the important catchments which are vital for sustaining the hydrological cycle of the State which is so crucial for water supply in the State particularly in the paddy fields and for drinking water ?

As we aware, soil conservation and water conservation are synonymous. If water is conserved the soil is definitely conserved and vice versa. There are time tested techniques available. There are also various new techniques developed in this aspect; the flow in the streams can be delayed, more water can be impounded, artificially and semi artificially.

The Horticulture and Soil Conservation and Forest Department should seriously give a thought to take up scientific measures for this problem. The non-technical and harmful system adopted at present should be avoided, because at present the scenario of water conservation is a big disappointment.

Another issue that is associated with the problems of catchment degradation is the livelihood activities of the people living in and around these places. The issue needs to be tackled in a specialised way. There is a strong need for a watershed policy too or a sort of regulation for catchments and streams.

The State Government may take up suitable actions in consultation with the concerned departments before it is too late. Having this much rainfall, we should not be running here and there for a drop of water.

Water, water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink.