Rill and Gully Erosion in the Subhumid Tropical Riverine Environment of Teonthar Tahsil, Madhya Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT

This article deals with rill and gully erosion in a subhumid tropical region, the ravinated zone of the Jawa Block, Rewa District in Madhya Pradesh, India. The study area is situated in the intervening zone between the northern foreland of Peninsular India and the Gangetic Plain. The erosion processes have been initiated and accelerated by deforestation, overgrazing, and clearing of land for agricultural purposes. Gully morphology is partly controlled by lithological conditions. Field studies have revealed an alarming rate of gully extension, with an average loss of 2.35 million m³ of agricultural soil per year. It is estimated that the affected area will increase by 50% in the next 50 years.