Effect of river mining on employment generation and farming systems in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The sand and gravel are crucial resources extracted from rivers for economic development activities and their demand is increasing due to economic development urbanization. The large amount of boulders, cobbles and sand deposited in riverbed in Himachal Pradesh are protecting natural vegetation. The study was conducted in Neugal catchment area of Himachal Pradesh (India). It was concluded from the study that amount of river mining materials extraction varies according to the season. The employment per household generated from sand, stone and bajri extraction and transporting these materials to different destination was 1033 man days during the year. The total variable expenditure incurred for extraction of river mining materials was varied from Rs 95,178 in case of equines to Rs 2, 37,276 in case of tractors. The net returns from river mining material on total cost varied between Rs 20,167 to Rs 1, 55,837 per annum, while on variable cost the net returns varied between Rs 24,167 to Rs 2, 28,392 for different means of transportation. The response of sample extractors about the adoption of river mining occupation revealed that poor family condition followed by no other employment, marginal holding, etc. were the main reasons. The indiscriminate sand and stone extraction from the rivers affect the water availability for irrigation and thereby affecting the productivity of the crops. The area under different crops in current season shifted from more water requiring crops to less water requiring crops due to less water availability in the irrigation channels. The productivity of different crops and number of irrigations used also changed over the period. So, conservation of water and land is important for their productivity. The study suggested that the prudent efforts should be made by government agencies for systematic/scientific extraction of mining materials so that water table of rivers may not adversely affect cropping system.