Gully Erosion Control: Lateritic Soil Region of West Bengal

Abstract

Gully erosion management on lateritic soil is a critical issue in West Bengal. In this paper, a combination with vegetation and check dams, for all aspects of lateritic soil erosion management has been discussed. A program for controlling gully erosion was carried out in Rangamati in lateritic soil region of western part of West Bengal from 2011 to 2012 that includes two approaches “Check dam†and “Vegetation coverâ€. Results indicated that at the initial stage, the percent of sand was the maximum in the upper catchment of each gully basin and the concentration of silt and clay was the least. Gradually as vegetation started trapping, the sediment composition of soil changed registering higher percentage of finer particles. Again, the nutrients detached from the upper catchment were arrested by check dams that induced nutrients supply and water storage, which in turn, increased the growth of vegetation. This proved the significance of vegetation cover with check dams to curb soil erosion. The results obtained may help the planners and managers to take proper decision for the conservation of lateritic soil.