Recycling of Tank Silt for Improving Soil and Water Productivity in Rainfed Areas ; Recycling of Tank Silt for Improving Soil and Water Productivity in Rainfed Areas1

Abstract

Not Available ; In Peninsular India community tank systems are integral part of rural livelihoods for centuries. The interactions between human, land and water are highest in tanks and provides highest productivity both in agriculture and ecosystem uses. Tanks have multiple functions and several outputs like food (fish), fodder (tank bed) and fuel (bushes), ecosystem services like biodiversity (flora, fauna, avian), groundwater recharge and supporting services like washing, bathing, retting, etc. Tanks serve as a common pool resource and have various stakeholders ranging from government agencies, local panchayat, farmers, rural rich and poor. The breakdown of traditional system has resulted in encroachment, siltation, weed growth and poor inflows. Over exploitation of groundwater through bore wells have made these water bodies as a neglected entity, truly as "tragedy of commons". Poor management practices of catchment have resulted in silting of most of these water bodies and significant reduction of storage capacity. Silt deposit has not only reduced the storage capacity but also groundwater recharge, eutrophication of tanks and most importantly higher release of carbon to atmosphere through silt mediated anaerobic decomposition of organic carbon. Good practices such as desilting and application of silt to agricultural fields have been abandoned. Continued mining by crops and reduced application of organic manures has resulted in deficiency of several nutrients particularly that of micronutrients. Recycling of tank silt provides a win-win situation to both, improvement in soil health and renovation of the tank. ; Not Available