(Icon-Farm, February 12-16, 2008, p. 105)
Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur has developed many technologies for management arid wastelands. These technologies include windbreak and shelterbelt of locally adaptable tree species like Acacia nilotica, Dalbergia sissoo, Cassia siamea Albizzia lebbek; checkerboard plantation of Calligonium polygonoldes, Eralnthus munja, Lasiurus Indus, Leptadenia pyrotechnica etc. for sand-dune stabilization. For rehabilitation of degraded lands with rainfall <200 mm silvipasture system with tree species of Acacia senegal, A. Tortilis, Azardirachta indica, P. Cinararia and grass species of Cenchrus cilliaris, C. Setigerus Lasiurus sindicus and Panicum antidotale performed well and ensure round the year availability of fuel wood and fodder, besides improving the environment conditions. For establishment of trees, circular micro-catchment of 5% inward slope with LOPE lining was successful. As rainfall is very low in arid areas, under ground tank as can play an important, role in rainwater harvesting and supply of water for domestic and supplemental/life saving irrigation to plants. A 50 m3 capacity tanka with 0.070 ha catchment area, costing Rs. 35000=00 is sufficient to provide irrigation to 100 field plants and a nursery of 3000 plants beside meeting domestic water requirement of a family. For rockylttony wastelands with little soil depth, plantation in pits with soil treatment along with some soil conservation measures like contour trenching, bunding were successful. Since most of wastelands are deficient in soil fertility and soil depth, so regular cropping is not successful. However, these lands can be best put under alternative crops like Cassia angustifilia and Lawsonia alba etc. Availability of fuel wood is an important aspect for economy of arid region, so some of the wastelands can be best put under plantation of Acacia tortilis, A. nilotica, Albizzia lebbeck, Dalbergia sissoand Tecomella undulta. Severely eroded and gullied wastelands can be managed by adoption of loose stone check-dams, brush wood check-dams, anicutsand bunding along with afforestation with local tree species. Beside these technologies, there are many sight specific technological options available for management of wastelands in arid areas.
