Dear Thanikachalamurthy ...

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Dear Thanikachalamurthy Aruchamy

The main reasons for decline of water flow in the mountainous river is decline of base flow condition and increase of runoff. The specific hill region mostly covered by charnockites and associated weathered rocks. Overall, in most of the South Indian river system surface runoff increased as instantaneous flow, Irrespective of maintenance of forest cover and not disturbing by any civil constructions. The main reason what I could understand the river bed might have silted with eroded material, which increase surface flow and not favour for infiltration and subsequent base flow. Artificially we can revive the rivers by making infiltration pit along the rivers. This practice provide good results as adopted in river rejuvenation project by art of living , Bangalore. 

regards

S.Anbazhagan 

 

 

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I'd like to point out that its removal of the native forest cover that changes streamflow from lesser instantaneous flow and longer baseflow, to greater flashiness and shorter baseflow duration. In addition, high pumping rates in the floodplains can lower the overall water table, that can dry up springs and small order streams, in turn decreasing flow in the rivers as they emerge from the hills. Plantation forestry ( exotic spp like eucalyptus, australian pine, wattle, albizia etc) can have high evapotranspiration and lesser rain interception by the open canopy  and subsequent decrease in infiltration into the groundwater. Soil erosion is also higher in plantation forestry than native shola forests, even though lower than hillslope farming.

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Thank you Anbazhagan for the response.

I am not sure about the material property of the hill, but would like to know the cause of your mentioned case - "silted with eroded material".

Also, you have meant the infiltration pit along the rivers - But my case is specifically on the hill ranges - Do you suggest for such pits on the path of the stream.

It would be great, if I have the contacts of such experts to take it forward.

 

Thanks

Murthi

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