The Department of Mines and Geology has identified 88 water bodies in Coimbatore district for the removal of fertile top soil by farmers. This initiative aims to support agricultural activities while maintaining ecological balance.
Coimbatore, June 28, 2024: The Department of Mines and Geology has identified 88 water bodies in Coimbatore district this year for the removal of fertile top soil by farmers. This initiative is part of a broader effort to support agricultural activities while maintaining the ecological balance of the region's water bodies.
Key Points:
1. Soil Allocation:
- Farmers are permitted to take 25 tractor-loads of top soil for cultivable land.
- For dry land, the allocation increases to 30 tractor-loads.
- This allocation is allowed once every two years for each acre of agricultural land.
2. Beneficiaries:
- Both farmers and potters are eligible to benefit from this scheme.
- They are allowed to draw alluvial soil (vandalmann) and clay (kalimann) from various water bodies.
3. Eligible Water Bodies:
- Irrigation tanks
- Ponds
- Canals
- Lakes maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD)
- Water bodies under the Rural Development (RD) department
4. Cost and Permission:
- The soil can be drawn at no cost to the farmers and potters.
- However, they must secure permission at the taluk level to excavate their required extent of topsoil.
5. Implementation Timeline:
- The permission for soil removal was granted during the second week of this month.
6. Environmental Concerns:
- According to Revenue Department officials, there is less demand for topsoil from water bodies near industrial units.
- This reduced demand is attributed to fears of soil contamination from industrial effluents.
7. Farmers' Perspective:
- Many farmers are wary of using soil from areas near industrial zones.
- There are concerns that soil contaminated by untreated effluents could further damage fields already affected by chemical fertilizers.
Analysis:
This initiative by the Department of Mines and Geology reflects a balanced approach to resource management. By allowing controlled removal of top soil from water bodies, the government aims to support agricultural activities without compromising the ecological integrity of these water sources.
The scheme also recognizes the needs of different agricultural practices by allocating different amounts of soil for cultivable and dry lands. The two-year cycle for soil removal suggests a sustainable approach, allowing water bodies time to replenish their soil deposits.
However, the concerns raised about soil contamination near industrial areas highlight the ongoing challenges in balancing industrial development with agricultural needs. It underscores the importance of effective industrial waste management and the need for regular soil quality assessments.
The involvement of both the Public Works Department and the Rural Development department in maintaining these water bodies indicates a collaborative approach to resource management. This inter-departmental cooperation could be key to the successful implementation and monitoring of the scheme.
As this initiative progresses, it will be crucial to monitor its impact on both agricultural productivity and the health of the water bodies. Regular assessments of soil quality, water retention capacity of the bodies, and agricultural yield in areas using this soil could provide valuable data for future policy decisions.