CHAPTER II PHYSICAL LANDSCAPE
2.1 Introduction 20 2.2 Geology 20 2.3 Topography 20 2.4. Slope 22 2.5 Drainage 23 2.5. 1 Dams 24 2.5.2 Bhima 24 2. 5.3 Ghod River 25 2.5.4Yel river 25 2.6 Soil s 26 2.6.1 All uvial soil 26 2.6.2 Bl ack cotton soil 26 2.6.3 Medium shall ow brown soil 26 2.6.4 Coarse sandy soil 27 2.7 C li mate 28 2.7. 1 Temperature 28 2.7.2 Rainfa ll 29 2.7.3 Potential Evapotranspiration 29 2.8 Vegetation 3 1 Resume 34 CHAPTER II
PHYSICAL LANDSCAPE
2.1 Introduction: The introduction to the study area has been discussed in the previous chapter. This chapter is related with physiographic set up of the study area. The physiographic study is important for knowing the problems of agriculture. Physical setting plays important role to determine the development of any region. The study area is dominated by plain region and hilly tracts in the middle part of the tahsil. The present chapter attempts to discuss geology, relief aspects, climate, vegetation and soils. 2.2 Geology: Shirur tahsil is located to the east of the Sahyadri ranges. The tahsil is located on the Deccan plateau and the Basalt rock is the main characteristic of the area. All these rocks are composed of different lava flows of different times of volcanic eruption with varying thickness. Almost all the area is low lying but few hills are present in the western part of the tahsil. This hilly tract is a part of foothill zone of Sahyadri. Along the bank of the river Bhima, the thickness of the soil is more and away from the river bed, basaltic rock appears closely to the surface. The depth of the rock is around 7 feet to 8 feet beneath the soil. The tahsil faces the scarcity of water although it is surrounded by the river and the streams. 2.3 Topography: • North-Eastern Area - The land is almost undulating except along the banks of the rivers Kukdi & Ghod. • Northern plain area -The land is plain and medium in quality. • Middle Hilly area - Various small streams originate here and flow to northern or southern part to join river Ghod or Bhima. • South-western plain area - It has medium and deep black soil. • Vel River basin - This area is a plain area. The rainfall in this part is more compared to other areas of the Tahsil.
20 Shirur Tahsil Geomorphology Map
DistributioD • Allmial Plain • Denudational Hill • Flood Plain • Plate~u o Strucrural HiI1s • \Vater Boody Mask
1_. ~ 2 0() -1 g 12 16
( F~. NO. 2.! )
North-Eastern Area: The North-Eastern area shows undulating topography. In this area, the land is almost undulating except along the banks of the rivers Kukadi & Ghod. This area has south flowing rivers. Northern plain area: The area from the rivers Kukdai and Ghod to Annapur basin is included in this area. Here, the land is plain and medium in quality. Here, the villages included are Pimperkhed, Jambut, Vadner, Takali Haji, Dongargaon, Ahmedabad, Annapur, Kavathe and Malwadi. Middle Hilly area: In this division, the water dividing line of the rivers Ghod and Bhima is included. Lots of various small streams originate from this area that flow through the northern or southern part to meet rivers Ghod or Bhima. Here, relatively plain area is
21 found along the banks of both the rivers and along the banks of small streams. This area is occupied with plateau and small hills.
South-western plain area: This area is plain area and made up with medium and deep black soil. The villages of Nimone, Mandavgan Pharata, Navahara, Nirvi, Chinchani, Andalgaon, Pimpalgaon are included in this area. Vel River basin: This area is different from the Tahsil area. The river Vel is flowing from Pabal to Shikrapur and then Talegaon Dhamdhare and then exits from the tahsil. This area is almost plain. The rainfall in this area is more compared to the remaining tahsil. The border of this area is marked by hilly areas. Lots of hills are present in the western part of this area. In this area Shikrapur, Wadhu Budruk, Koregaon, Dhanore, Talegaon Dhamdhare, Jategaon Budruk, Dhamari, Khairewadi villages are included. 2.4 Slope: Agriculture has shown close association with the slope as stated by Symon (1967). The slope plays important role in land capability and landuse (Saptarshi and Kadam 2000), (Bhagat and Kadam 2002). The present work aiming at analyzing water resources needs the understanding of slope.
Shirur Tahsil Slope Direction Map
( Fig. No. 2.2 )
22 Thomwaite's model of assessing soil moisture has taken into account the slope as the factor. The slope characteristics of the tahsil are depicted in the map (Fig No.2.2) using GIS technique to analyze toposheet data. The study area has five major divisions according to slope. 1. North- Eastern area 2. Northern plain area 3. Middle hilly area and plateau area 4. South-western plain area and 5. Vel river basin.
Shirur Tahsil-Contour Map 750m
700m
650m
600m
II S50m
Fig.No.2.3 4 * 2 0 4 8 12 508 m
2.5 Drainage: The tahsil is a part of two major river basins of Bhima and Ghod. The study of drainage can be systematically presented according to these two basins. Generalized slope of the area is from northwest to south. The rainfall in the tahsil is about 700 nun to 1250 mm. The tahsil has parts of two major basins of the rivers Bhima and Ghod. The reach of Bhima observed in the tahsil is a part of upper Bhima basin as defined by Jog (1990). The course of the rivers Bhima & Ghod in the tahsil is about 120 km & 75 krn respectively. The availability of water is only for 8 months. Various K.T. weirs constructed on the river provide the water for irrigation and drinking purpose.
23 Shirur Tahsil Major Drainage Map
(Fig. No. 2.4 )
2.5.1 Dams: The dams upstream of Bhima have improved the availability of water resources for agriculture in the extra monsoon season. Dams like Dhimbhe, Chaskaman and Chinchani has been constructed. 2.5.2 Bhima:
The river Bhima originates In the Sahyadri ranges and follows the path between Balaghat and Shambbo Mahadev ranges. The reach of Bhima observed in the tahsil is a part of upper Bhima basin as defined by Jog (1990). This reach of Bhima has formed the border between Shirur and Daund. The course of the river in the tahsil is about 120 km. The availability of water is only for 8 months. There are various villages along the banks of the river namely Apti, Vadhu Budruk, Koregaon, Vitthalwadi, Takali Bhima and Dhanore. Various K.T. weirs are constructed on the river near Vadhu Budruk, Dhanore, Takali Bhima, Burkegaon, Sangavi Sandas, Alegaon Paga and Shivtakrar malungi. These dams provide the water for irrigation and drinking purpose.
24 Shirur Tahsil Minor Drainage Map
(Fig. No. 2.5 )
2.5.3 Ghod River: It originates in the Sahyadri ranges and meets river Bhima at the border of the tahsil. This reach of Bhima has formed the border between Shirur and Daund. The course of the river in the tahsil is about 75 km. The availability of water is only for 8 months. K.T. welfS on the river Ghod has been constructed m Shirasgaon Kata, Dhangarwadi, lnamgaon, Tandali Kashti and Tandali Sangam. 2.5.4 Yel river: The River Yel flows for about 24 km. It is non-perennial and availability of water is only in rainy season for 4 to 6 months. Near to Pabal village, Thitewadi dam is constructed. Some K.T. weirs have been constructed on the river near Shikrapur, Talegaon Dhamdhare and lategaon.
25 Shinlr Tahsil-Drainage
N
Kilometers I •• 4 *2 0 4 8 12
2.6 Soils: The study of soil has been carried out on the basis of the data from Department of Agriculture, Maharashtra state and tahsil office. According to the map procured from tahsil office, there are four types of soil in the study area. Characteristics of each type and its areal extent are discussed in the following paragraphs. 2.6.1 Alluvial soil: It is observed in the narrow belt along the rivers Bhima and Ghod. This is nothing but the alluvial deposits subjected to the development of deep black soil. This is the most fertile belt in the tahsil. It has the advantage of nearness to the river and hence lift irrigation projects are quite feasible. 2.6.2 Black cotton soil: As a general rule, it is observed that the depth of the soil decreases away from the river. However, there is wider belt adjustment to alluvial deposits with a depth of 26 around 1 metre to 2 metre. It differs from the alluvial soil as it does not have courser material. This belt represents black cotton soil of Maharashtra. This soil is thick and fertile. Owing to its geomorphic situation, the belt has the advantage of irrigation. This belt exhibits high productivity in agriculture and dominated by sugarcane cultivation.
Shirur Tahsil Type of Soils
Types of Soils o Hilly Soil • ;"[edium Black • DeepBlack
, .. Kilometers 4 2 0
(Fig. No. 2.7 )
2.6.3 Medium shallow brown soil: These soils are found between hilly tract and riverine belt. Deep brown colour indicates good fertility status. These soils originate from colluvial deposits from the hilly tract. There are some patches showing black colour indicating high fertility status. The thickness of soil varies from 0.5 nun to 1 m depending upon slope. 2.6.4 Coarse sandy soil: Hilly tract is marked by flat topped hills, indicating tract topography. This area has soil cover with thickness of 5 cm to 15 cm. The texture is coarse and colour is gray to light brown. This soil contains high proportion of pebbles and cobbles. These soils are subjected to sufficient aeration and hence oxidation. Light brown colour is
27 mainly due to oxidation. These soils support low quality grasses, bushes and sparsely populated trees. Traditionally they are utilized for the cultivators of food grains in both Kharip and Rabbi season. However, productivity is less because of low fertility status. Soil moisture retentivity is the major problem in this belt because of its texture and geomorphic situation. 2.7 Climate: As well accepted rule in geography, the climatic elements affects the agricultural activity and its production. Rainfall and temperature play important role in selection of a crop, its growth and agricultural development. Climate influences not only on agriculture but also on other economic activities. Therefore, it is necessary to have a broad idea regarding climate of the tahsil. The climate of the tahsil is featured by hot summer and general dryness in all seasons except few weeks in the southwest monsoon season. The government of Maharashtra had declared this as the Drought Prone Zone in 1973. The Drought Prone Zone has been decided by studying the various climatic data from I.M.D. In the study area, only one rain guage station is available. The present discussion is based upon the records available from the data at Ahmadnagar and Shirur rain gauge stations. There are three main seasons in the study area as observed in the Maharashtra. 2.7.1 Temperature: Table No 2.1 Temperature at Shirur Tahsil Month Temperature (OC) Min. Max. January 12.0 30.1 February 10.5 34.6 March 14.6 35.0 April 20.4 37.7 May 22.9 36.1 June 23.1 30.6 July 22.0 27.1 August 21.7 27.1 September 20.8 30.3 October 18.7 30.9 November 13.9 30.6 December 11.2 29.9 Source: IndIan MetrologIcal Department (20 I 0-20 II) 28 Although this region is in monsoon climatic zone, it shows very little variation in temperature. The graph showing maximum and minimum average monthly temperature can depict this fact.
2.7.2 Rainfall:
As taken into consideration the meteorological pan, micro level variation in rainfall has been presented with the help of map (fig. no.2.9). It is clearly observed that the rainfall decreases from west to east. The graph of monthly distribution of rainfall at Shirur shows two modal values with September (144.1 mm) and June (96.7 mm). This is a characteristic feature of semi and monsoon zone. The total rainfall in the tahsil is about 700 mm to 1250 mm.
Seasonality index rainfall = Rainfall in season
------X 100 Total rainfall
September experiences maximum rainfall and about 71.1 mm rainfall in the October month have been the reason for dominance of rabbi crop i.e. iowar. The dry farming zone of the tahsil also shows preference for the crops like jowar as in the other drought prone area of the state mainly because it produces both food grain and fodder. If rainfall is good, the farmers get the output in both the forms. If rainfall is far below the average productivity is the only in the form of fodder locally called as batuk. This may be considered as traditional wisdom that minimizes the risk due to drought conditions.
2.7.3 Potential Evapotranspiration:
Most potential evapotranspiration values are obtained from I.M.D. and water surplus deficient months have been identified using Thomwaites model (1967). The tahsil is included in drought prone zone of Maharashtra according to the Fact Finding Committee (1973).
29 Shirur Tahsil Distribution of Rainfall
Area Under RainfaB (In mm) • 200-400 . 400-600 . 600-800 . 800-1000 . 1000- 1200
Kilometers I - • 4 2 0 4 S 12 16
( Fig. No. 2.8)
Table No: 2.2 Monthly Distribution of Rainfall Surrounding Weather Station (mm) Month Shirur A.Nagar Junnar Khed Shrigonda Daund January 2.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 February 1.6 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.9 Mar 1.3 3.5 0.0 1.4 0.0 2.1 April 5.9 4.5 0.0 4.9 2.9 34.1 May 22.2 22.1 0.0 25.4 24.2 4.9 June 96.7 97.9 1.8 120.4 105.1 18.4 July 73.7 90.3 4.3 140.8 65.1 93.7 August 51.6 93 .8 3.9 109.3 66.4 60.8 September 144.1 177.1 0.0 144.7 158.8 48.9 October 71.1 77.7 1.6 82.3 90.2 145.1 November 27.1 34.2 0.0 16.2 22.4 100.6 December 6.7 5.1 0.0 5.5 5.5 22.5 Source: IndIan Metrological Department Pune 2010-2011 30 2.8 Vegetation:
Vegetation cover In the study area may be understood with the help of generalized stratographic study. As the area has characteristic feature of semi arid zone, the vegetation cover is dominated by thin grasses, bushes and sparsely populated trees. It is different from the other semi arid zones because of monsoon characteristics. This means that the mixed vegetation cover is the peculiarity of monsoon dry deciduous vegetation. The trees species are mainly neem and babhul. Environment significance of bushy variety has been recognized by the scholars like Saptarshi (1993). The legimness species is responsible for adding organic matter in the soils. There are patches of secondary plantations like SubabhuL near villages like Hivare, PimpLejagtap, Karde, Wadgaon and Rasai. under social forestry scheme. The area under forest according to census data is as low as 6190 hectares (3.65 % TGA) out of 113 villages in the tahsil about 50 % i.e. 55 villages show presence of forest area. Table No.2.3 Villages showing forest area
% of FA to Sr.No. Village Name TGA AUF TGA 1 Kathapur Kh. 674 44 6.53 2 Pimparkhed 2007 39 1.94 3 Jambut 1264.16 141 11.16 4 Saradwadi 637.84 69 10.82 5 Fakate 1442 34 2.36 6 Chandoh 1021 40 3.92 7 Kawathe 5814 466 8.16 8 Munjalwadi 819.68 80 9.77 9 Nimgaon Dude 1121 83.8 7.47 10 Takali Haji 5001 253 7.66 11 Mhase Bk. 534 33 6.18 12 Dongargan 791 182 23.01 13 Amdabad 1281 42.3 3.30
31 Sr.No. Village Name TGA AUF 0/0 of FA to TGA 14 Pabal 1349 501 10.83 15 Midgulwadi 599.68 18.5 3.08 16 Kanhur mesai 3883 93.4 3.55 17 Chincholi 1119 140 12.52 18 Khaire Nagad 757.33 92 12.55 19 Dhamari 3567 149 4.18 20 Khairewadi 650.61 14 2.l5 21 Hivare 1120 9 0.80 22 Mukhai 1342 72 5.37 23 Karandi 2542 127 5.01 24 Varude 1812 12 0.97 25 Shingadwadi 614.94 83 12.46 26 Waghale 839 14 1.67 27 Sone Sangavi 1153 29 2.52 28 Dhok Sangavi 1227 36 2.93 29 Shirur 6172 266 4.31 30 Babhulsar Kh. 1748 18 1.03 31 Ganegaon .K 2766 37.4 1.97 32 Karanjawane 1159 78 6.73 33 Apti 769 59.6 7.75 34 Wadhu Bk. 1478 65 .6 4.44 35 Sanaswadi 1707 153 8.96 36 Koregaon B 1956 119.8 9.31 37 Dingrajwadi 669.99 43 .6 6.02 38 Vitthalwadi 1341 94.2 7.03 39 Takali Bhima 1839 57.9 3.15 40 Shivtakrar Ma. 272 22.4 8.25 41 Parodi 776 37.9 5.l5 42 Karade 423 1 37 l.32 43 Uralgaon 2759 105.3 3.82
32 Sr. No. Village Name TGA AUF % of FA to TGA 44 Arangaon 556 49.3 8.77 45 Alegaon Paga 2764 385 13.96 46 Nhavara 4349 60 1.73 47 Nagargaon 1484 58 3.91 48 Kolgaon Dolas 748 16 2.14 49 Nirvi 2019 12 0.59 50 Chinchani 1349 21 1.56 51 Inamgaon 2161 137 6.33 52 Mandavgan F. 3585 21 0.74 53 Vadgaon Rasai 2467 195 7.90 54 Sadalgaon 958 11 1.15 55 Bambhulsar Bk. 798 117 13.48 Total 165129.30 6140 3.65 Source: District Census (2001.) Table No. 2.4 Social forestry scheme Sr. No. Name of Villages Area (hectare) 1 Savindane 36 2 Kawathe 20 3 Nimgaon Dude 20 4 Amdabad 10 5 Kendur 10 6 J ategaon Khurd 15 7 Golegaon 8 8 Babulsar Khurd 19 9 Karanjawane 3 Total 141 Source: Dlstnct Census 2001
33 Shirur Tahsil Distribution of Forest
Ana Under Forest (".NSA) o 0.00 To 0.00 (5 115 %) o 0.00 To 5.00 (23.68 %) • 5.00 To 10.00 (16.67 %) • 10.00 To 1500 (7.02 %) • 15.00 To 2000 (0.00 %) • 20.00 To 2500 (0.88 %)
KlIometers j . - 4 2 0 4 8 12 16
(Fig. ~o.2.9 )
The area under forest may not be considered as the forested area in true sense of term. In most of the cases, the area classified as forest covered by thin grasses and bushes only. It was decided by the policy maker to promote tree plantation outside the forest area. Social forestry scheme is according to this policy. Social forestry is a scheme implemented in the tahsil a list of villages showing implementation of scheme is given in the table (Table No.2.4 Social forestry) . Resume: The present chapter deals with physical profile of the study area. It is observed that the tahsil lies in the drought prone zone. Climatlogically almost all the weeks of the year under water stress. The frequency of drought is high. The seasonallity of rainfall is 71 % most importantly potential evapotranspiration is higher than rainfall in almost all the weeks of the year. Thus, physiographicaUy it can be stated that the study area suffers from low rainfall with high varability index. It is also necessary to understand human activities especially agricultural activity in this water stress area. The next chapter to understand socio-ecconomic profile with the view that how soil and water resources are being utilised.
34