Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Combating Waterlogging in IGNP Areas in Thar Desert (India): Case Studies on Biodrainage

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Agroforestry for the Management of Waterlogged Saline Soils and Poor-Quality Waters

Part of the book series: Advances in Agroforestry ((ADAG,volume 13))

Abstract

Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana/Project (IGNP) in the Thar Desert is one of the largest irrigation projects in the world. As a result of this initiative, 1.86 million hectare area has come under cultivation. Although irrigation has greatly increased the agricultural production potential, it has also rendered vast tracts of land under waterlogged category (leading to salinization as well) on account of seepage and deep percolation losses from the irrigation network and lack of a proper drainage system. The concept of biodrainage, removal of groundwater through evapotranspiration, has emerged as an effective way to tackle this problem. Such an approach is economical and eco-friendly. However, more research is required to fully understand the implications, especially at farm level. The policy to control the problems associated with waterlogging and salinization should include biodrainage, reduced water allowance, efficient irrigation, and conjunctive uses.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alvares C (1982) Social forestry: the likely distortions. Bioenergy Res News 1:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Arya R, Choudhary KR, Lohara RR (2006) Studies on mound practices for establishment and growth of various plant species on saline and waterlogged soil in hot arid zone of India. Indian For 132(5):556–564

    Google Scholar 

  • Bala N, Singh G, Bohra NK, Limba NK, Baloch SR (2014) Biodrainage for restoration of canal command waterlogged area in Indian desert. Indian For 140(5):(in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhutta MN, Choudhry MR (2000) Biological control of waterlogging. In: Proceedings of the 8th ICID international drainage workshop, vol IV, Group V. New Delhi, India, pp 33–45

    Google Scholar 

  • CAD (1997) Monitoring of water table in IGNP command. Ground Water Wing, CAD Department, Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana, Bikaner

    Google Scholar 

  • CAD (1999) Status report: command area development. Ground Water Wing, CAD Department, Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana, Bikaner, Bikaner

    Google Scholar 

  • CAD (2007) Note on monitoring of water table and status of water logging. CAD Department, Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana, Bikaner

    Google Scholar 

  • CAD (2009) Report of command area development. CAD Department, Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana, Bikaner

    Google Scholar 

  • Calder IR (1992) A model of transpiration and growth of Eucalyptus plantation in water-limited conditions. J Hydrol 13:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chatterji PC (1985) Impact of human activities on water resources of arid zone. Proc Indian Nat Sci Acad 51:135–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Chatterji PC, Saxena SK (1988) Canal irrigation in arid zone of Rajasthan. In: Prakash I (ed) Desert ecology. Scientific Publisher, Jodhpur

    Google Scholar 

  • Chhabra R, Thakur NP (1998) Lysimeter study on the use of biodrainage to control waterlogging and secondary salinization in (canal) irrigated arid/semi-arid environment. Irrig Drain Syst 12:265–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cloudsley-Thompson JL (1977) Man and biology of arid zone. Edward Arnold, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Cramer VA, Thorburn PJ, Fraser GW (1999) Transpiration and groundwater uptake from farm forest plots of Casuarina glauca and Eucalyptus camaldulensis in saline areas of southeast Queensland, Australia. Agric Water Manage 39:187–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dash CJ, Sarangi A, Singh AK, Dahiya S (2005) Bio drainage: an alternate drainage technique to control water logging and salinity. J Soil Water Conserv (India) 4(3&4):149–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Dash CJ, Bhattacharya AK, Sarangi A, Singh AK (2007) Salt uptake by Acacia biflora saplings from saline root zone. J Agric Eng 44(2):93–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Delzon S, Loustau D (2005) Age-related decline in stand water use: sap flow and transpiration in a pine forest chronosequence. Agric For Meteorol 129:105–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denecke HW (2000) Concept note on biodrainage and bio-disposal systems. http://www.fao.org/iptrid/drainage/bio_drainage/concept_note_bio_drainage.htm

  • Gafni A (1994) Biological drainage-rehabilitation option for saline-damaged lands. Water Irri 337:33–36

    Google Scholar 

  • GoR (2012) Basic statistics 2012. Directorate of economics and statistics. Government of Rajasthan, Jaipur, p 194

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenwood EAN, Klein L, Beresford JD, Watson GD (1985) Differences in annual evaporation between grazed pasture and Eucalyptus species in plantations on a saline farm catchment. J Hydrol 78:261–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heuperman AF (1992) Trees in irrigation areas; the bio-pumping concept. Tree Nat Resour 34:20–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuperman AF (1999) Hydraulic gradient reversal by trees in shallow water table areas and repercussions for the sustainability of tree-growing systems. J Agric Water Manage 39:153–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heuperman AF, Kapoor AS (2003) Biodrainage status in India and other countries. Indian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuperman AF, Kapoor AS, Denecke HW (2002) Bio drainage- principles, experiences and applications. International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, p 89

    Google Scholar 

  • Heuperman AF, Stewart HTL, Wildes RA (1984) The effect of Eucalyptus on water tables in an irrigation area in northern Victoria. In Water Talk, Rural Water Commission of Victoria, Vol 52

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman GJ (1990) Leaching fraction and root zone salinity control. ASCE Manual & Report on Engineering Practice, No. 71

    Google Scholar 

  • Hooja R, Srinivas V, Sharma G (1994). Waterlogging and salinity problems in IGNP, Rajasthan. National seminar on reclamation and management of waterlogging saline soils. CCS, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana, India

    Google Scholar 

  • Hooja R, Srinivas V, Sharma G (1995). Water and salinity problems in IGNP, Rajasthan. In: Rao KVGK, Agarwal MC, Singh OP, Oosterbaan RJ (eds) Proceedings on national seminar on reclamation and management of waterlogging saline soils. India, CSSRI, Karnal, Haryana, India, pp 141–159

    Google Scholar 

  • IWMI (2007) Study on groundwater externalities of surface irrigation transfers under National River Linking Project – Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana (IGNP). Final Report. IWMI, New Delhi, p 97

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobsen T, Adams RM (1958) Salt and silt in ancient Mesopotamian agriculture. Science 128(3334):1251–1258

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jeet Ram, Dagar JC, Lal K, Singh G, Toky OP, Tanwar VS, Dar ISR, Chauhan MK (2011) Biodrainage to combat waterlogging, increase farm productivity and sequester carbon in canal command areas of northwest India. Curr Sci 100(11):1673–1680

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapoor AS (2001) Biodrainage - a biological option for controlling waterlogging and salinity. Tata McGraw Hill Publishing Co. Ltd, New Delhi, 315 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapoor AS (2014) Managing groundwater for irrigated agriculture- the relevance of biodrainage model. Rawat Publications, Jaipur, p 341

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapoor AS, Denecke HW (2001) Biodrainage and biodisposal: the Rajasthan experience. Grid (IPTRID Network Magazine) 17:3–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Lambert MJ, Turner J (2000) Commercial forest plantations on saline lands. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood

    Google Scholar 

  • Mann HS, Chatterji PC (1978) Effect of land use change on the groundwater conditions in canal irrigated area of western Rajasthan and their management. In: Proceedings of land and water management in the Indus Basin, pp 252–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Mondal AK, Sharma RC (2011) Delineation and characterisation of waterlogged salt affected soils in IGNP using remote sensing and GIS. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 39(1):39–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NAAS (2010) Degraded and wastelands of India – status and spatial distribution. National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • NIAB (1997) The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). For Newsletter, pp 1–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Pessarakli M, Szabolcs I (1999) Soil salinity and sodicity as particular plant/crop stress factors. In: Pessarakli M (ed) Handbook of plant and crop stress, 2nd edn. Marcel Dekker, New York, pp 1–16

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Prasad RN, Biswas PP (1999) Soil resources of India. In: Singh GB, Sharma BR (eds) 50 years of natural resource management. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahmani AR (1989) The uncertain future of Desert National Park in Rajasthan. Environ Conserv 16(3):237–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeet Ram, Garg VK, Toky OP, Minhas PS, Tomar OS, Dagar JC, Kamra SK (2007) Biodrainage potential of Eucalyptus tereticornis for reclamation of shallow water table areas in north-west India. Agroforest Syst 69:147–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulz M (1994) Development of sustainable systems using irrigated salt tolerant plants for productive revegetation of saline land. Final report NRMS project V2112. Institute of Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Tatura, Victoria, Australia

    Google Scholar 

  • Shankarnarayan HS, Sarkar TK (1985) Integration of arid land irrigation with other resources development. In: Irrigated agriculture in arid areas. WAPCOS, New Delhi, pp 142–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma KD (1999) Rajasthan canal—a boon or environmental disaster? Survey Environ 99:101–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma BR, Rao KVGK, Sharma G (2009) Groundwater externalities of large surface irrigation transfers: lessons from Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana, Rajasthan, India. In: Strategic Analyses of the National River Linking Project (NRLP) of India Series 5. Proceedings of the Second National Workshop on Strategic Issues in Indian Irrigation, New Delhi, India, 8–9 Apr 2009, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka, pp 107–121. doi:10.3910/2010.202

    Google Scholar 

  • Shrivastava M, Sharma IK, Sharma DD (2013) Ground Water Scenario in Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojna (IGNP) in parts of Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Churu, Bikaner, Jaisalmer Jodhpur and Barmer Districts, Rajasthan. Memoir Geological Soc India 82:16–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh S, Kar A (1991) Morphological characteristics of land forms and associated problems. In: Abrol IP, Venkateswarlu J (eds) Prospects of Indira Gandhi Canal Project. Publication and Information Division, ICAR, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Soni ML, Beniwal RK, Garg BK, Tanwar SPS, Burman U, Yadav P, Yadava ND (2012) Above ground biomass production and carbon storage during restoration of water logged saline soils of IGNP area. Crop Improv (Special Issue): 555–556

    Google Scholar 

  • Stirzaker RJ, Cook FJ, Knight J (1999) Where to plant trees on cropland for control of dryland salinity: some approximate solution. Agric Water Manag 39:115–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tewari VP, Arrawatia ML, Kishan Kumar VS (1997) Problems of soil salinity and waterlogging in Indira Gandhi Canal Area of Rajasthan State. Ann Biol 13:7–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Dawes WR, Slavich PG, Meyer WS, Thorburn PJ, Smith DJ, Walker GR (1999) Growth and ground water uptake responses of Lucerne to changes in ground water levels and salinity: lysimeter, isotope and modelling studies. Agric Water Manage 39:265–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, 342003, Rajasthan, India

    M. M. Roy, N. D. Yadava, M. L. Soni & J. C. Tewari

Authors
  1. M. M. Roy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. N. D. Yadava
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. L. Soni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. C. Tewari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. M. Roy .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Central Soil Salinity Research Inst, Karnal, Haryana, India

    Jagdish Chander Dagar

  2. Stress Management, National Institute of Abiotic, Pune, Maharashtra, India

    Paramjit Minhas

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer India

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Roy, M.M., Yadava, N.D., Soni, M.L., Tewari, J.C. (2016). Combating Waterlogging in IGNP Areas in Thar Desert (India): Case Studies on Biodrainage. In: Dagar, J., Minhas, P. (eds) Agroforestry for the Management of Waterlogged Saline Soils and Poor-Quality Waters. Advances in Agroforestry, vol 13. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2659-8_7

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation