Status report on hydrology of arid zones of India by the National Institute of Hydrology

This status report on "Hydrology of Arid Regions in India" compiles the scattered information on the subject. It is divided into nearly fourteen categories, covering sections like geology, rainfall, desertification of arid lands, position of groundwater in arid & semi-arid regions and dune landforms. 

The drylands are growing at an increasing pace, sometimes with unforeseen and unwanted consequences. The resource base in the arid zones are affected by decisions usually made with limited information on the subject.

The report tries to bridge this gap and presents a list of recent publications on the subject. The role of human beings in the development of arid lands has been described. The distribution of soil pattern in various states and the major constraints for water conservation & crop production are presented in the form of a table. The effect of wind erosion, water erosion, salinity and alkalinity on fertility status of soil have been given in different tables.

Some recommendations based on the integrated analysis of climatic and biophysical land resources are –

• Fencing of sand dunes and sand deposits is suggested using locally available thorny brushwood or fine strands barbed wire fixed on angle iron to prevent biotic interference.
• Transplantation and revegetation of drought hardy tree, grass and shrub species like Acacia nubica, Acacia tortillas, Prosopis cineraria, Calligonum polygonoides, Ceridium floridum, Panicum antidolata and Cenchrus ciliarum is recommended to check wind erosion.
• Gully erosion can be controlled by measures like contour bunding, contour furrows, anicuts and check dams across the slopes & nallahs.
• Bank erosion control can be prevented by using measures like construction of spurs, check dams and anicuts at 200 m distance and pucca walls can be provided at the turning points.
• To check further deterioration of natural resources, watershed development approach and specific sites for surface water resource development have been suggested.
• Control of seepage and evaporation from water harvesting structures is suggested.
• Development and management of groundwater through artificial recharge methods such as subsurface barriers, percolation tanks, injection wells, contour and field bunding is recommended.

Download the report here: