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Sahu, et al.

maintain soil fertility. These structures play a crucial
83
role in regulating water flow, preventing flash floods,
and enhancing groundwater recharge. Bunds, widely
84
spread in agrarian landscapes, retain water flow and
facilitate longer infiltration times while reducing crop
loss from rapid runoff. Check dams, the step-like
85
barriers built across the streams and small rivers in
arid regions, effectively trap sediments and regulate the
velocity of the streams and also meet irrigation needs
during the dry periods. 86
In areas such as Bundelkhand and Rajasthan, these
traditional practices play a crucial role in mitigating
the effects of drought, enhancing soil fertility, and
supporting rural livelihoods. Bunds and check dams
73
can play a crucial role in achieving long-term water
security and sustainable agriculture when utilized in
conjunction with contemporary principles of water
management.
Terracing is another traditional technique used
to manage water flow and reduce soil erosion on
sloped land. 7,87 By creating level areas on sloped
fields, terracing reduces runoff and encourages water
Figure 3. Process flowchart of organic manuring infiltration, which helps maintain soil moisture and
fertility. 88,89 This practice is particularly beneficial in
and increase microbial biomass. The incorporation of areas with high rainfall and steep slopes, where soil
74
green manure into the soil also helps reduce soil erosion erosion is a major concern. 90,91 By stabilizing slopes,
and promote nutrient cycling. 50,65 terracing also improves soil fertility, enhances crop
yields, and supports sustainable farming practices in
3.4. Water conservation techniques challenging terrains. 92
Traditional water conservation techniques have been In contemporary applications, terracing can be
employed in various regions to manage water resources utilized in conjunction with modern solutions, including
effectively and prevent soil erosion. These techniques stone bunds, vegetative buffer strips, and contour
75
are fundamental in water-scarce areas and regions prone plowing, to enhance overall water retention and soil
93
to soil erosion, such as Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh. 20,76 conservation. It remains a key adaptation strategy
Rainwater harvesting, contour bunding, check in regions vulnerable to climate change, which is
dams, percolation tanks, and step wells are standard fundamental for sustaining agriculture and ensuring
94
methods that help with water storage, groundwater food security in the long term.
replenishment, and runoff reduction. In addition to 3.5. Distribution of traditional soil management
77
improving the amount of water available for everyday practices
consumption and agriculture, these techniques are vital Traditional soil management practices in India,
for maintaining livelihoods in regions vulnerable to including organic manure application, crop rotation,
drought. 78,79 To further enhance water conservation and and intercropping, are crucial for promoting sustainable
climate change resilience, contemporary adaptations of agriculture and maintaining soil health. Organic
95
these age-old practices are being combined with cutting- manuring utilizes natural materials, such as compost
edge irrigation techniques and research methodologies. and animal manure, to enhance soil fertility, while
Bunds, embankments, and check dams are traditional crop rotation replenishes nutrients and controls pests
water conservation structures designed to capture and by alternating crops, often incorporating nitrogen-
store runoff water, reducing soil erosion and promoting fixing legumes. Intercropping, the practice of growing
96
soil moisture retention. 80-83 These structures help control multiple crops together, enhances biodiversity and
water flow, prevent the loss of valuable topsoil, and resource use. Organic manuring is the most widely
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Volume 22 Issue 2 (2025) 6 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025060035