GURGAON: Construction of earthen dams, gabion structures, check dams, silt detention dams and crate wire structures are some of the measures that the forest and wildlife department is planning to prevent soil erosion in the Aravalis between October this year till January 2024.Officials said on Sunday that the undulating hills are prone to water runoff and soil erosion, especially during the rainy season. The measures, they said, will also help improve groundwater levels and soil fertility.The project will be carried out in the Aravalis of Gurgaon, Faridabad, Nuh, Palwal, Mahendergarh and Rewari, and it is likely to cost Rs 10 crore.The plan is to develop small check dams, which are small barriers made of stones in wire mesh that are built across water channels. These structures slow down the flow of water, allowing it to seep into the soil. Gabion structures are rectangular stone baskets fabricated from hexagonal mesh of heavily galvanised steel wire. The baskets are filled with rocks and stacked atop one another to form a wall. They also have the same function as check dams. These measures will not only increase the green cover and biodiversity of the Aravalis by encouraging afforestation, but theyll also help restore water bodies, improve soil fertility and climate resilience of the region, said MS Mallik, additional principal chief conservator of forest and conservator of wildlife, south Haryana. He said rejuvenation of water bodies and catchment of local streams will help improve soil moisture, and drought resilience.Additionally, the department will plant more native species such as ronj (acacia leucophloea), khejri (prosopis cineraria) and amaltas that are able to better survive semi-arid conditions.Experts said the conservation measures will be beneficial to Delhi-NCR, helping protect the region from sand and dust storms, and pollution.The project, if implemented, will restore degraded forest area, crop and pasture lands, sequester carbon, conserve biodiversity and build resilience to climate change, said environmental activist Jitender Bhadana.In Haryana, a total of 8.2% (3.6 lakh hectares) of the total geographical area has undergone desertification between 2018-19, according to the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas, 2021.Another report by the Central Groundwater Board also added to growing literature on the states groundwater crisis. According to their assessment, water levels in a majority of wells (76%) across Haryana fell in 2022 as compared to markings recorded the previous decade.We also published the following articles recentlyNainital subsidence due to soil weakeningOfficials in Nainital, India, have attributed the collapse of a house in the Chatan Lodge area to heavy rainfall, which weakened the soil and caused landslides. They plan to consult with geologists for a permanent solution to the issue. In the meantime, cracks in nearby houses are being examined and residents are being evacuated to safer locations. The collapsed structure has been sealed as it was deemed illegal.More water released from Kadana damVillages on the banks of Mahi river in Gujarat were placed on alert as more water was released from the Kadana dam. Around 1.5 lakh cusecs of water was released due to steady inflow. Villages in Mahisagar and Panchmahal districts were asked to exercise caution while visiting the river. In other news, several dams in Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have been opened to release excess water due to heavy rainfall. In Nashik, water levels in 24 dams have risen to 80% of capacity, benefiting the agriculture sector. Tamil Nadu will continue releasing water from the Mettur reservoir despite Karnatakas refusal.Mismanagement in dam water release caused destructionCongress leader Jay Narayan Vyas criticized the mismanagement of water release from the Sardar Sarovar dam, which led to severe flooding and damage to property and crops. However, the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL) stated that effective water management prevented losses downstream. Vyas mentioned that rainfall started on September 6, but water release should have begun on September 14 or 15. Meanwhile, the dam has reached its full level, resulting in the opening of sluice gates and relocation of residents along the Narmada river banks. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue in Gujarat.

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