STREAM SHED DEVELOPMENT

PROPOSAL

AREA OF STUDY : SHOLAYUR

Submitted to : ASSO

Submitted by: Gokul S( p39195)

Jimmy Joseph (p39023)

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 November, 2018

NABARD

STREAM SHED DEVELOPMENT IN ATTAPPADY BLOCK

PROJECT PROPOSAL

PROJECT TITLE : STREAM SHED DEVELOPMENT

SECTOR : WATER CONSERVATION
COUNTRY : INDIA
ESTIMATED START DATE :
ESTIMATED END DATE :
PROJECT FACILITATING AGENCY : ASSO
SECTOR : WATER
SUB-SECTORS :
ESTIMATED BUDGET : 55,32,000/-

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INTRODUCTION

Attappady Social Service Organization (ASSO) is a non-profit, Non Governmental Organization.

It has its head office in Attappady, Palakkad district Kerala. ASSO is working for the welfare of
the people with due focus on their integrated development. In each and every one of its
endeavors ASSO fulfill its mission that is “Towards a better Society”. The organization has set
its mission as “to become a catalyst for the integrated development of the society where we are
and to facilitate the harmonious growth and welfare of the people irrespective of race,
community, cast or creed.” In this regard we are involved in planning and executing multifarious
rural development projects to improve the living conditions and general welfare of the people.

BACKGROUND

Attappady is a reserve forest area in the state of Kerala near Kerala- Tamil Nadu border. The
area is home to many tribal communities and wildlife. Some prominent rivers also find their
origin in the Attappady region in forms of streams. The streams are the main source of water for
the people in this region. They depend on streams for meeting their drinking, domestic and
agricultural water needs.The adverse impact of climate change on rainfall threatensthe delicate,
holistic balance that once stimulated the ecosystem. The area has witnessed uneven rainfall
patterns, reduction in temporal spread and frequent floods.

There is increasing evidence that springs are drying up or their discharge is reducing throughout
the region. The erratic rainfall pattern, seismic activity andecological degradation associated with
land use change for infrastructuraldevelopment is putting huge pressures on mountain aquifer
systems. It is reported that many of the perennial springs have already been dried up or have
becomeseasonal resulting into acute water shortage for drinking and other domestic purposes
across villages. It becomes clear, therefore thatany significant depletion in such spring flows at
river origins will surely impact theflow of rivers.

The magnitude of the problem is exemplified by the high dependency of populations on spring
water on one hand and the depleting –deteriorating status of springs on the other. The ignorance
of springs in the largercontext of rivers, streamsheds and aquifers is also a reason for great
concern as suchignorance has led to large gaps in practice and policy in developing any
strategicnational response to spring water management in India.

Recognizing the urgentneed for ensuring water security, the Attappady Social Service
Organizationwants to undertake an initiativeto revive the Attappady’s springs and
streams.Estimates suggest that in mountainous terrain less than15% rainwater percolates down to
recharge springs,while the rest is lost as surface water. The core thrust of the project will be to
catch this runoff water and use it torecharge groundwater sources.

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MAJOR PROBLEMS IN STREAMSHED AREA

Based on interaction with people in stream shed area, major problems identified in the area are
listed below:
1. High run off of rainwater during rainy days due to no treatments of lands as well as minor
drainages.
2. The existing open wells are running dry.
3. Low productivity due to soil erosion and less moisture
4. High-level soil erosion in the slopped upper reaches of lands.
5. The existing village ponds and water storage structures are silting up and reducing the
water storage capacity
6. Low livelihood security
7. Lack of employment opportunities
8. Lack of interest in agriculture cultivation
9. Problems of wild animals like pigs
10. Lack of education and awareness

OBJECTIVES
The primary objective of the project is to ensure watersecurity by breaking the cycle of
abundance and scarcityof water. It also seeks to enhance the hydrologicalcontribution of the
mountainous ecosystem as a watertower for the people, and ensure disaster risk managementby
reducing landslides and floods.

1. Improvement and restoration of soil quality and thus, raising productivity rates.

2. Supply and securing of clean and sufficient drinking water for the population.

3. Improvement of infrastructure for storage, transport and agricultural marketing.

4. To manage the streamshed for beneficial developmental activities like domestic water
supply, irrigation, etc.

5. To minimize the risks of floods, droughts and landslides.

6. To develop rural areas in the region with clear plans for improving the economy of the
regions.

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MEASURES TO FULFILL THE OBJECTIVES

The measures suggested by experts from agriculture and streamshed development fields are
given below:
1. To propose the treatments according to the structure of the land.
2. To propose some well-recharging structures near the open wells
3. To make farm bunds and shrub, boulder and rubble checks in upper reaches
4. To introduce new technologies in agriculture sector and use good seeds
5. To arrest the silt through minor drainages and to reduce silt load entering into the water
bodies located in lower reaches
6. Promotion of livelihood activities for the deserved families and also to upgrade the
existing skills.
7. To make the dry land cultivable and create employment opportunities
8. To make a link to farmers and other government departments and give necessary
awareness and steps to do an agriculture
9. To promote group farming and make some kinds of protection in farm lands
10. To give awareness about the importance of streamshed and agriculture

STREAM SHED MANAGEMENT

A streamshed is unique blends of climate, geology, hydrology, soil, vegetation, and the human
community. Knowing the streamshed is the first step in effective streamshed management.
Fundamental information about a streamshed include its size, boundary, topography, soil types,
climate, population and density, land uses and trends, distribution of streams and lakes, water
quality and quantity, water uses, and economic and social trends. Other critical knowledge
extends to drinking water supplies, toxic release sites, point-source wastewater discharge sites
(National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits required), superfund sites, existing
filter/buffer strips, wildlife habitat, wetlands, and riparian areas, and on-going restoration,
rehabilitation and other best management practices in the streamshed

Effective streamshed management includes planning, implementation, and evaluation

components (Figure 1). Scientific planning is to characterize the present streamshed conditions,
identify and prioritize problems, define management objectives, and develop protection or
remediation strategies and practices. A streamshed management plan starts with partnership
establishment with identified stakeholders who make water resource and quality management
decisions, who implement or can affect implementation of the decisions, who are influenced by
the decisions, and who can assist in the management planning. The stakeholders will help
identify issues and concerns in the streamshed and set up long-term management goals.

Characterizing streamshed is the next step in management planning. The whole streamshed
should be inventoried for its physical and natural features, land use and population

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characteristics, water resources and uses, water quality and water body conditions, pollutant
sources and loads, and existing pollution control practices. The characterization typically reveals
the most pressing water problems that the management efforts should focus on. The information
is then applied to refine the overall management goals, develop specific objectives, and
determine measurable targets and indicators. Subsequently, effective management practices for
reducing pollution, restoring damaged ecosystems, protecting valuable habitat, and improving
overall streamshed health are identified based on scientific research results.

Figure 1: The cooperative and iterative streamshed management steps: planning,

implementation, and evaluation

Implementing a streamshed management plan involves various expertise and skills such as
technical expertise, group facilitation, project management, data analysis, communication, and
public relations. Successful implementation requires first to secure the entailed technical and
financial assistance. It is vital to transfer the ownership of the streamshed management plan to
local governments. Dedicated professionals and administrative staff who are supported by local
governments are the critical workforce for organizing implementation efforts, coordinating, and
carrying out the management tasks. Open communication between organization members and
increased involvement of stakeholders are equally important. Progress should be constantly
tracked in project implementation, maintenance activities, water quality improvements, and
social responses. It is critical to install a streamshed health monitoring program to evaluate the
effectiveness of the implementation efforts. Water conditions can be monitored by measuring
water flow and color, streambank conditions, aquatic organism abundance, and concentrations of
contaminants in water, sediments, and fish tissue [5]. The monitoring data should be timely
analyzed to examine status, changes, trends, or other issues of streamshed health that responds to
management practices. Routine summary analyses should also be conducted to track progress,
assesses achievements of objectives, and provide early feedback on streamshed health changes
and trends. Sharing the results with stakeholders and other communities via communication (in
reports, meetings, and education activities) is important. The outreach efforts help to keep the
stakeholders engaged by showing them how their participation is making a difference.

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Evaluation during and after implementation of conservation practices are an indispensable
component of streamshed management. The implementation activities need to be periodically
reviewed and compared with those outlined in the work plan. The implementation results
collected through monitoring programs need to be parallel with the interim milestones. If the
implemented practices are not adequately effective such that the milestones and targets set for
pollutant load reductions and other goals are not met, implementation adjustments and/or
additional management measures become necessary. Feasibility for making the required
implementation changes should be assessed prior to action. As a rule, progress on the work plan,
streamshed health improvements, and any necessary adjustments in implementation should be
made known to stakeholders. Feedbacks from landowners and other stakeholders should be
integrated in implementation adjustments.

LAND TREATMENT ACTIVITIES

Careful studies of the project area and drainage line are indispensable for making a good project
proposal. The agricultural experts, civil engineers, social workers and people of the streamshed
area study the project area meticulously and proposed the treatments. The features of land, soil,
climate, rain etcare taken into consideration for proposing such treatments. The treatments
proposed in the streamshed area are for reducing soil erosion, harvesting run off rain water,
increasing soil moisture for better crop productivity, increasing bio mass, and recharging ground
water table. The emphasis is to make people to use their land optimally and increase agricultural
productivity taking into consideration the carrying capacity of the streamshed and the seasonal
situation. Tree based agriculture has been given importance as it will give good returns, lead to
sustainable agriculture, produce adequate organic manure, lessen the use of chemicals and also
assure livelihood security. The details of different land treatments that can be adopted are given
below.
i). Earthen Bunds
The earthen bund is a small barrier put across the slope in the lands with the slopes ranging from
5 to 15 % slope. It acts as the effective barriers to minimize the slope and reduces the velocity of
runoff. These bunds help in retaining soil moisture and conservation of soil and water. It helps to
increase the time of concentration of rainwater where it falls and thereby allowing rainwater to
percolate into the soil. It converts a long slope into several areas as to minimizevelocity and
thereby reducing the erosion by run-off water

ii). Boundary Bund

The boundary bund helps to reduce the velocity of runoff in the stream shed area. It protects the
land.
iii). Coconut Basins
Coconut is one of the major cultivation of the project area. Coconut basins serve to collect the
water which comes through coconut trees. As a result the amount of running off water will

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decree. And also it will increase the yield of coconut tree and the income of people will increase.
Most of the people follow bio farming for coconut trees. So it is very easy to make coconut
basins at fewer rates.

iv). Water Percolation Pits

Water percolation pits helps to increase the moisture regime in the streamshed area. It can be
done in gentle slope and plane areas. It reduces the velocity of runoff.

v). Stone Pitched Bunds

Stone pitched bunds are constructed across the slopes to reduce the slope length and to arrest soil
erosion. As a result, moisture in the surface will increase.

vi). Agrological Measures on Bund

Agrological measures on bund help to increase the moisture of land. Grass cultivation, vegetative
fencing etc are some agrological measures. It has multipurpose usage. It protects the bund. It
helps to increase the fertility of the land. It also increases the income of the people

vii). Teak Agro Forestry

Teak Agro Forestry will help in reducing the splash erosion and act as wind barrier. It also acts
as the production of fodder and fuel to meet the needs of the people. Being a multi storied
cropping area, Plantation of Teak is very useful to this streamshed area. Here we propose
Nilamboor Teak for plantation. It goes very straight. The quality of the wood is good. People
prefer this for furniture. It assures a good income to farmers

viii). Korna Agro Forestry

Korna is a special kind of bamboo tree which sees only in the streamshed area. It acts as a wind
barrier. It reduces the erosion. Moreover it gives a good income to the people. Korna is used for
multi-purpose. It is used for making houses. The fisherman used this for fishing. The plantain
farmers used this for giving support to plantains. It is also used for decorations. It gives support
to make big mahals (Panthal). For plucking arcanuts, mango, etc, korna is used. The climate of
the streamshed area is very suitable to korna plants. It gives income to farmers three years after
its cultivation. The cultivation of korna is very expensive. We use sucker for planting. Each
sucker costs Rs.150/-

ix). Agro- Horticulture

Fruit Plantation will act as vegetative barriers to avoid wind velocity. It also increases the
production of fruits in the area. The proposed horticulture plantings are mango, amla,etc . The
project plans to provide hybrid plants to farmers. It is very costly. But it gives rather good yield.

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x). Check Dam
Check dam is a small dam constructed across a stream or waterway to counteract erosion by
reducing water flow velocity. It also induces infiltration of water into the ground which in turn
recharges the water table in the area.

STREAMS IDENTIFIED IN SHOLAYOOR VILLAGE

STREAM NO. 1- VARAGAMPADI STREAM

Location coordinates: 11.0537567, 76.6955241

Point of identification: Culvert near Sholayoor forest station
Elevation of the area: 2848 ft.
Source: Aquifer
Ownership of land holding the source: Private land – Varagampadi Estate
Length of stream (approx): 17 Km
Mainstem River: Siruvani River (Chittur River)
Confluence: Chittur
Type of stream: Seasonal (Perennial but dry up in summer)
Treatments proposed: 1) Earthen bunds 2) Water percolation pits 3) Check dam 4) Korna agro
forestry 5) Fodder plant cultivation on bund

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STREAM NO. 2 - KGP ESTATE STREAM

Location coordinates: 11.042889, 76.689961

Point of identification: Culvert near Vayaloorpirivu
Elevation of the area: 3192 ft.
Source: Aquifer enveloped check dam
Ownership of land holding the source: Private land – KGP Estate
Length of stream (approx): 7 Km
Mainstem River: Siruvani River (Chittur River)
Confluence: Chittur
Type of stream: Seasonal (Perennial but dry up in summer)
Treatments proposed: 1) Earthen bunds 2) Water percolation pits 3) Check dam 4) Korna agro
forestry 5) Fodder plant cultivation on bund

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STREAM NO.3 – KAKKADAMPARA STREAM

Location coordinates: 11.0388860, 76.6872410

Point of identification: Erattappalam culvert
Elevation of the area: 3228 ft
Source: Aquifer
Ownership of land holding the source: Private land – Kakkadampara Estate
Length of stream (approx): 8.5 Km
Mainstem River: Siruvani River (Chittur River)
Confluence: Chittur
Type of stream: Seasonal (Perennial but dry up in summer)
Treatments proposed: 1) Earthen bunds 2) Water percolation pits 3) Check dam 4) Korna agro
forestry 5) Fodder plant cultivation on bund

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STREAM NO. 4: ESTATE 72 STREAM

Location coordinates: 11.0381210, 76.6851250

Point of identification: Estate 72 culvert
Elevation of the area: 3212 ft
Source: Pond
Ownership of land holding the source: Private land – Estate 72
Length of stream (approx): 7.7 Km
Mainstem River: Siruvani River (Chittur River)
Confluence: Chittur
Type of stream: Seasonal (Perennial but dry up in summer)
Treatments proposed: 1) Earthen bunds 2) Water percolation pits 3) Check dam 4) Korna agro
forestry 5) Fodder plant cultivation on bund

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STREAM NO. 5: SIRUVANI ESTATE STREAM

Location coordinates: 11.0347930, 76.6791240

Point of identification:Siruvani (Elamala) Estate wooden bridge
Elevation of the area: 3182 ft
Source: Swampy area
Ownership of land holding the source: Private land – Siruvani (Elamala) Estate
Length of stream (approx): 9 Km
Mainstem River: Siruvani River (Chittur River)
Confluence: Chittur
Type of stream: Seasonal (Perennial but dry up in extreme summer)
Treatments proposed: 1) Earthen bunds 2) Water percolation pits 3) Check dam 4) Korna agro
forestry 5) Fodder plant cultivation on bund

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STREAM NO. 6 & 7: NO. 3 & NO. 4 ESTATE STREAMS

Location coordinates: 11.038873, 76.664706

Point of identification:Number 3 Stream check dam
Elevation of the area: 2641 ft
Source: Swampy area
Ownership of land holding the source: Private land – Siruvani (Elamala) Estate
Length of stream (approx): 6 Km
Mainstem River: Siruvani River (Chittur River)
Confluence: Chittur
Type of stream: Seasonal (Perennial but dry up in summer)
Treatments proposed: 1) Earthen bunds 2) Water percolation pits 3) Check dam 4) Korna agro
forestry 5) Fodder plant cultivation on bund

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OUTPUTS

 It improves the level of water table in the area

 It enables dry land cultivation
 It creates employment opportunity.
 It provides alternate income source .
 It assures clean water
 It helps in reducing oil erosion

BUDGET
PARTICULARS QUANTITY RATE TOTAL
AMOUNT
Water percolation pit 2400 40/ No. 96,000
[1m x 0.3m x 0.3m ]

Check dam 8 1,50,000 12,00,000

[5m width]

Earthen contour bund 14000 50/ m 7,00,000

[Height : 50 cm]

Fodder plant cultivation on 12000 3/ No. 36,000

bund

Korna agro forestry 14000 250/No 35,00,000

[4m intercrop space]

Total 55,32,000

BENEFICIARIES

Stream shed development project aims at an integerated development of the region by raising the
water table of the area. The rejuvenation of streams would lower the impacts of shocks like
drought which severely affected the area in the year 2016. Over 400 acres of cultivated land was
affected by the drought resulting in heavy loss of agricultural productivity.
The implementation of stream shed development project would transform the intermittent
streams into perennial streams, ensuring continuouswater supply to around 1500 farmers, 1600
house holds and around 6000 population.

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