Land use pattern and regional water balance in relation to climate change - a case study of Kanthallor Panchayath, Idukki, Kerala
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Date
2018
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Academy of Climate Change Education and Research Vellanikkara
Abstract
The study on land use pattern and regional water balance in relation to climate change was carried out in Kanthallor panchayath of Idukki district Kerala during the period 2016-17. The climatic parameters collected from India Meteorological Department and soil nutrient properties collected from Agricultural Department were used to interpret the land use change. Climate data for the period from 1991 to 2014 showed that the Maximum Temperature ranged from 22.73oc to 25.96oc and Minimum Temperature ranged from 15.55oc to 17.76oc. The rainfall was in the range 823 mm to 1887mm. The average wind speed is 2.61 Km/hr, average value of Relative Humidity is 86.38% and average solar radiation is 14.25 mj/m2/day.
The soil health card reports collected from Department of Agriculture showed that the soil PH was in the range 4.5 to 7.3. The organic carbon content of hundred percent soil samples computed was in the range "High". The level of Phosphorous was also in the range "High" in 72.65% samples studied. Whereas, Potassisum was in the range of "Medium" in 73.68% of samples considered. Boron and Sulphur was found in the range of "low" in 92.11 % and 63.16% samples tested. Hence it is imperative that for cultivating traditional annual cool season crops like Potato, Beans and Garlic special nutrient management package is to be prepared for this AEU17.
The land use change over a period from 2010 to 2018 was tabulated from the Land use maps prepared by Kerala State Land Use Board and the present land use map was generated using Google Earth Pro by creating kml file. It was found that total forest area including all kinds of forest has been reduced from 77.28 sq.km to 72.61 sq.km. It can also be seen that the area under Eucalyptus has increased from 7.70 Km2 to 9.96 Km2. But the area under Sandal wood remains unchanged as there are legal restrictions in its cultivation and the entire area is under government control.
There was a drastic change in area under vegetables from 2.36Km2 to 10.15 Km2 within a span of eight years which indicate that the main livelihood option is annual cool season vegetables and there is a good market support from the Agricultural Department. The traditional food grain crops cultivated in the panchayath were Rice, wheat and Millets which were now replaced by vegetables and sugarcane.
The water balance and irrigation water potential of major traditional annual crops like Potato, Beans and garlic were calculated by using RCP 4.5. It revealed that the potential evapo transpiraion has decreased under projected climate for the years 2030, 2050 and 2080. The present potential evapotranspiration was highest during March which will be shifted to May, as seen in the projected climate for the year 2030. The present maximum water deficit in the month May will be shifted to March as seen in the projected climate for the year 2030. The present water surplus in the month March, June, July, August, September and October will be shifted to May, June, July, August and October.
The Major three crops Potato, Beans and Garlic are now being cultivated as rainfed crops. Projected irrigation water requirement of Potato is 9.2 mm for the year 2030. Projected irrigation water requirement of Beans for the year 2030 will remain same as present. Projected irrigation water requirement of Garlic is 8.2 mm for the year 2030.
The climate data for past twenty years showed a change in the total down pour and the Minimum and Maximum temperature. The land use change analyzed for the last eight years has also projected the decline in forest area and a tremendous increase in area under annual vegetables. The major crops like Potato, Beans and Garlic which are being cultivated presently as a rainfed crop in the major growing season of May to August will become an irrigated crop in future. It also point towards the need for better water resources and implementation of efficient soil and water conservation measures in this unique pancyhayath of Kanthallor. A shift from the traditional food grain crops like wet land paddy, Millets and Wheat to crops like Sugarcane and vegetables had affected the cropping pattern and the water use efficiency. Accordingly a change in cropping pattern or even a shift to new crops can be expected in future, if sustainable management practices and cropping system are not assured.
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