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Details Of Innovation
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There are many small and big tanks in Udaipur, Rajasthan constructed 200 to 300 years ago. These were meant for irrigation and providing drinking water to cattle. During summer (May-June), most of them turn dry . A large quantity of silt and organic matter drawn from their catchment area during rainy season lies deposited at the bottom of these tanks. Farmers collect this enriched silt from the dried reservoir beds and broadcast it in their fields. This practice is beneficial in many ways: (a) it improves structure of soil and humus content; (b) it has a fair proportion of major plant nutrients; (c) when large quantities are used in alkaline soils, the salinity is reduced. This is a very old practice; locally the soil is called pana. The desilting of the tanks increases their water-holding capacity and also provides clean water to the cattle. This practice must be encouraged by providing cheap transportation facilities.
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