Question

In which of the following regions gully erosion is found commonly?
A. Kutch basin
B. Saurashtra basin
C. Chambal basin
D. Southern Plateau

Answer 1

Hint: Gully erosion refers to the soil erosion caused by the water flow leading to the formation of depressions on the sloping land surface. These depressions are called as gullies develop networks over time leading to formation of ravines.

Complete answer:
> Gully Erosion is most commonly found in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat, West Bengal and Rajasthan. This process can be seen because of various factors starting from high rainfalls, loose soil, loss or over-grazing of vegetation, natural upliftment of highlands to even wrong agricultural practices.
> Gully erosion is therefore spread over vast areas, but still the most important and common occurrence is found in the Chambal basin. In Chambal it has led to loss of agricultural lands and at times even displacement of whole villages. The process of erosion here according to studies goes back to medieval times. The signs of ravines are very clear on both the sides of Chambal and its tributaries like Kunwari.
> Gully damage led to the formation of the Central Ravine Reclamation Board in 1967 by the government of India. Later in 1971, a separate project dedicated to Chambal was announced with a budget of around 1200 crores. Under this, there were three major targets. First, the stopping expansion of existing ravines through filling them up with sandstone, levelling of soil, contour bunding to conserve rainwater and dam construction for water harvesting. Second, afforestation done with targeting plantation of trees common to local areas like Neem, Ber, Babul, Aloe vera, etc. Third was bringing lost land as well as new land under cultivation done firstly through filling of the gullies. This was followed with favourable agricultural practices as contour farming, terracing, strip cropping, etc. which prevent soil erosion the most.
> These programmes of land reclamation are successful to a certain extent, but they need a regular monitoring of the situation. The methodology used to deal with the problem too needs to evolve accordingly.

Hence, option C is the correct answer.

Note: Ravines and gullies formed from erosion have not only been limited to ecological problems but also social ones. These have as in case of Chambal became home to dacoits and bandits for centuries organized around caste lines.