The greening of Tumkur
Thapa, D.
Idrc Reports 1996: 3 P
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0315-9981 PMID: 12292319 Document Number: 305082
This article describes the efforts made to combat deforestation and severe water shortages in Tumkur district, Karnataka state, in southern India. Deforestation became a problem in the mid-1980s, when the amount of soil moisture was so reduced that people sought ground water that was too deep to access. In mid-1994 a field center was established for the development of local capacity and programs for wasteland development, sustainable agriculture, and community management systems. The center aims to teach people how to monitor sustainability on a regular basis. The initial objective was to reclaim degraded lands. This objective was subsumed under the national integrated development plan in the Chiknayakanhalli "taluk" in Tumkur. Five administrative areas out of 28 were chosen as pilot research areas. Selection was determined by the willingness of villagers to help themselves. The initial assessment involved community mapping of the terrain, the position of houses, and water supply locations. The assessment revealed control of water by the rich and lack of access to water by the poor. Redistribution of water was worked out, and residents decided to charge a monetary fine for excessive use of water. Residents dug deeper wells in order to deal with water shortages. Finally, residents decided to address the source of the problem of water shortages. The decision was to restore forests, regenerate water storage ponds, and revive traditional systems of conservation. 500,000 trees were planted during 1995-96. Ground cover was planted for water retention purposes and for fodder for livestock. Barrages and check dams restored ground water collection. Vegetable farming was popular and provided needed income. The pilot areas were so successful that people in other areas wanted to replicate the process. New groups maintained local control of lands by taking out long-term loans to pay for the development.