( 107A ) 



tributaries) through the plains are characterised by innumerable 

 ravines on their banks. The banks of these rivers have for various 

 reasons (chiefly uncontrolled heavy grazing of cattle, goats, camels, 

 etc. become almost destitute of vegetation, except for a sparse and 

 desert flora This absence of protective vegetation and the result- 

 ing rapid flow or rush of water in the monsoon from the compara- 

 tively high flat plateau to the river through the soft alluvial soil 

 his resulted in a vast and intricate network of ravines being formed. 

 1 hese ravines extend for a distance varying from a few furlongs to 

 a few miles on both sides of the Jumna and its tributaiies ; they 

 often start suddenly at the edge of cultivation with a drop of some 

 80 feet or they may be less severe, and they take up a meandering 

 course, joining up with other systems, eventually falling into the 

 main river. This ravine belt is increasing in extent every year 

 as tbe ravines eat into the flat cultivated lands at their heads in 

 each rmnsoon. These ravine lands are at present almost valueless 

 they yie'd a small quantity of inferior fuel arid still more inferior 

 grazing and that is all. 



The surface is almost impermeable to rain water, and all 

 natural reproduction and grass die down as soon as the rains 

 cease. 



The objects of reclaiming these ravines are 



(1) to check further erosion and loss of cultivated lands at 



their sources ; 



(2) to afforest these waste lands and obtain therefrom im- 



proved grass and fuel for the local villagers, and valuable 

 commercial products (timber and poles, tanning bark, 

 bamboos, etc.) to pay back the cost of reclamation ; 



To any who are not experienced in ravine reclamation work, 

 the following brief description of technical treatment 

 may be useful. 



In treating this ravine country, the two great essential facts 

 to be considered are 



(1) to check the further erosion ; 



(2) to improve the soil aeration and moisture content. 



The erosion in the ravine beds is checked (and converted into 

 deposition) by the formation of bandhs or darns across the ravines 

 in suitable places, and tho erosion on the sides and at the head of 

 ravines is checked by creating an adequate clothing of vegetation. 

 But the vegetation can only be produced by the improvement of 

 the aeration and moisture content of the soil. 



Objects of ravine 

 reclamation. 



Method of rarlne 

 reclamation 



