Gully erosion, characterized by deep channels carved by surface water runoff, poses significant challenges to India's ambition to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030. A recent study conducted by researchers across multiple institutions has mapped the extent and severity of gully erosion throughout the country, shedding light on the urgent need for targeted management interventions.
India is home to extensive badlands, primarily found in the western and central regions, where severe gully erosion has led to adverse environmental impacts and socio-economic challenges. The researchers utilized high-resolution satellite imagery, primarily from Google Earth Pro, to produce the first comprehensive inventory of gully erosion across all 28 states and the National Capital Region of Delhi. Their findings reveal the presence of gullied landforms across 19 states, with estimates indicating the total gully-affected area to be between 7,451 and 8,157 square kilometers.
Gully erosion affects nearly 38% of India's land area, with states such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh comprising roughly 92% of the total gullied area. Notably, Eastern India has emerged as critically impacted, where active and unmanaged gullies present significant land management challenges.
According to the lead researcher, the mapping effort vividly highlights, "The extent of gully erosion across Eastern India is far greater than previously acknowledged, thereby complicates the quest for land degradation neutrality." This unexpected finding demands immediate attention and action to address regions where gully management remains largely overlooked.
The researchers employed manual mapping methods, which allowed for high accuracy but were labor-intensive. The study found pronounced spatial variation, with the majority of unmanaged gully formations concentrated in states like Bihar and Chhattisgarh.
Overall, the study identified 77 districts throughout India where urgent rehabilitative intervention is required, emphasizing areas with the highest proportions of unmanaged gully features. It indicates the pressing need for policymakers to devise specific strategies for managing gully erosion effectively.
By creating this detailed spatial inventory, the research team hopes to facilitate informed decision-making and promote effective land management policies. The spatial distribution of gully systems indicates both the need for immediate action and the potential for long-term recovery of affected regions.
Despite existing reclamation efforts, the continued prevalence of unmanaged gullies raises alarms about the sustainability of agricultural practices and the health of local ecosystems. These, the authors suggest, reflect broader systemic issues affecting land management across India.
To combat this issue, the researchers propose the incorporation of diverse land management practices, particularly agroforestry and the implementation of check dams or similar structures to halt gully progression and restore affected areas. "Failing to address gully erosion could undermine India's broader sustainability movements, including the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to food security and ecosystem health," warns the lead researcher.
The outcomes of this study not only reinforce the significance of gully erosion as an integral driver of land degradation but also provide empirical data pivotal for advocating policy reforms aimed at fostering land degradation neutrality.
Moving forward, the research team anticipates working closely with governmental and non-governmental organizations to prioritize and delineate interventions required for restoring affected areas. The collective goal remains: to halt land degradation by 2030 and safeguard India's unique landscapes and livelihoods.