JORHAT, Dec 25 ?Synonymous with tea research since 1911, an ambitious catchment development study recently conducted by the Tocklai Experimental Station (TES) here may not only prove to be a boon for tea, but also boost rice cultuivation in the State.
?Taking help of geographic information system GIS), satellite mapping is effectively utilised for site-specific drainage improvement at locations which are vulnerable to water logging,? water technologist Dr Prashanta Kumar Bordoloi of the pioneer tea research organisation?s advisory cell told this newspaper.
?With roughly two lakh hectares in the North East prone to waterlogging, the issue cannot be considered in isolation,? TES director Dr Mridul Hazarika maintained. ?A modern and integrated approch is necessary to tackle the massive problem,? he explained.
?As high-yielding varieties of paddy require advanced water management, which obviously implies better drainage, hence restoration of concerned streams not only augments tea production in the vicinity, but also increases the yield of rice, as a number of paddy farmers hailing from the Tingrai basin off Tinsukia and Duliajan have lately realised?, Dr Bordoloi informed.
?So positive has been the response of rice cultivators in the region that a section of locals have joined hands with management of neighbouring tea eastates in order to share the benefits derived from scientific water management,? the senior scientist remarked.
?With over 3,28,000 hectares under tea cultivation in the North East, improper drainage adversely affects around 2,10,000 hectares. Despite Assam having the highest drainage density within the country through natural channels, water-logging of various degrees still confront the planters?, Dr Bordoloi disclosed.
?Tea bushes require a lot of water to thrive and flourish, as also proper root-zone drainage?, he mentioned. ?Gifted by Nature with alluvial valleys, humid climate and numerous streams, however, drainage congestion accentuated by both natural and man-made reasons have threatened the industry in this part of the country,? he added.
Consequently, TES submitted a a research proposal to the Tea Board of India sometime back for evaluation of the environmental changes that have drastically affected drainability in otherwise well-drainaged areas. Using satellite imagery gathered through remote sensing, TES conducted pilot studies at two locations of Upper Assam, besides Dimakuchi in Darrang district.
?When topo-sheets thus acquired are superimposed over Survey of India images of the 80?s present-day differences in geographical terrain become apparent, Drainage congestion along tea gardens and adjoining paddy fields too are clearly defined?, the director of TES clarified.
?Counted among futuristic strategies for optimising crop productivity, satellite-generated GIS data can also be analytically interpreted by the government for practical implementation in taming recurring floods,? water technologist Dr Bordoloi suggested.