https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Grassland Restoration in the Hills: Using Jute Geotextile Mat as Band Aid on Damaged Grass Surface

The Rudraprayag Forest Division is applying innovative methods to restore damaged grasslands, like using jute geotextile mat as band aid on the exposed parts, building check dams and retaining walls, and other interventions.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Among the many milestones achieved by the Rudraprayag Forest Division under the leadership of IFS officer, Vaibhav Singh, grassland restoration is a significant one. Over the years, he has successfully restored damaged grasslands and promoted the growth of native grass cover. For the restoration, innovative techniques like using jute geotextile mats have been introduced which are yielding very good results.

In conversation with Indian Masterminds, the officer talked about the grassland restoration project and how the forest department is successfully harvesting rainwater in the process.

DAMAGE TO GRASSLANDS

The alpine and sub-alpine grasslands found in the division, depending on the altitudes, require a specific ecosystem. They are also grazing grounds for the herders in the area. Mostly in the summer season, these herders are found moving with their animals in these grasslands.

IFS officer Vaibhav Singh said, “These grasslands act as water reservoirs as they become like a sponge during excessive rainfall and soak all the water. Then slowly that water is discharged in the form of springs. Whereas during the winter season, the grasslands are covered with snow and as the snow melts, water is discharged.”

Grassland started degrading due to pressure of overgrazing and heavy rainfall

He further informed that during a survey, it was found that some grasslands in the high-altitude area were in very bad shape. “Many times, what happens is that the grazing is not regulated and there is too much pressure of animals. As the grassland acts as a sponge, it becomes very soft and cannot take the heavyweight of the animals grazing on it. This results in damage of the grassland as the top layer of the grass die. The soil is then exposed, and the rains create erosions which cause further degradation of soil.”

The division which covers around 4,000 hectares of forest area has eight such grasslands which were damaged. This came to light in a survey conducted last year and, thereafter, the forest department started its restoration project.

RESTORATION PROCESS

The funds for the project were sought from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority, Uttarakhand (CAMPA). To address the problem, the team of Rudraprayag Forest Division spent number of days camping in these high-altitude areas, taking measurements, making estimates, recording observations, and finalizing the plan for their eco-restoration.

People from the department taking measurements of the damaged portions

For the wide channels, a series of check dams were made with locally available stones. Mr. Vaibhav said, “The idea was to reduce the flow of water and prevent/trap the loose topsoil from getting washed off. Further, in places with step cutting and back erosion, retaining walls were made from loosely packed stones to stop the further breaking down of slope. The bridle path used by locals were also repaired in some places.”

Making a series of check dams with locally available stones

He also outlined the measures taken to tackle the damage done to grasslands by animal grazing. “To cover the patches created due to hoof trampling by livestock, we used jute geotextile mats which were used as band aid for the exposed and damaged grass surface. We used this technique at around seven to eight places and treatment was conducted last year as well as the current year.”

Using jute geotextile for protecting the exposed and damaged areas

The department also sensitized the local people to make them aware about the ongoing treatment of grasslands. The initiative was a first of its kind in Rudraprayag, and results of the last two years have been encouraging.

Also carrying out this project in the hills was a challenge for the team as they had to brave the harsh weather, tough terrain and extremely challenging logistical issues, including the unwillingness of labourers to work in such areas.

ENCOURAGING RESULTS

The combination of geotextile mats, check dams, retaining walls and other interventions have started showing good results by promoting and accelerating the growth of native grass cover and undoing the damages to the grasslands caused by excessive herding.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
Policing, Trust, and Investment: Insights from IPF - Indian Masterminds
Indian Police Foundation Marks 10 Years, Discussion on How Policing Builds Investor Confidence
Madhya Pradesh football training
Mini Brazil to Germany: Vicharpur’s Young Footballers Get CM Mohan Yadav’s Blessings on Vijayadashami Week
bureaucracy news
Centre Announces Key Bureaucratic Appointments & Deputation Extensions: Neeraj Surendran, Arun G, Anand Mohan Among Key Names
PM Modi CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar Receives Rs. 10,219 Crore from Centre: A Festive Gift On Vijayadashami to Fuel Development & Welfare, Backed by GST Reforms
Chhattisgarh government
Chhattisgarh CM Charts Development Roadmap: Push for Capital Expenditure, Biometric Attendance, & Transparent Governance
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh Gets Rs. 3,462 Crore Boost from Modi Government: Here's How CM Sai Pledges To Spend It!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Live Interaction
From Cut-off Dates to Coaching & Reforms: UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Assures Aspirants of Fairness, Transparency & a Future-Ready UPSC | UPSC@100
A Century of Service: The UPSC’s Landmark Year Begins. Chairman Ajay Kumar on UPSC’s Centennial: “Merit,...
Giriraj Parihar MPPSC 2024
From Constable to Deputy Collector: Giriraj Parihar’s 9-Year MPPSC Journey | Farmer’s Son, Brother to Five Sisters
From a jail guard to MPPSC 2024 Rank 8, Giriraj Parihar’s nine-year journey of self-study, hard work,...
Ankit MPPSC 2024 Rank 3
From Village Dreams to Deputy Collector’s Chair: Meet Ankit, MPPSC Rank 3 Hindi Medium Topper
Ankit, a Hindi-medium aspirant from Balaghat, secured Rank 3 in MPPSC 2024 and became Deputy Collector...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT