Unfolding here is a stepwise process that
needs to be taken up by a particular team in an area to create various green
patches, various series of dry canals complex networks, various numbers of
wetlands nearby green patches and linking these with each other. Each paragraph
in an orderly and continuous way leads up to the process ahead.
First of all, one needs to survey a
particular land and analyse to arrive at a conclusion whether or not
for any of the right reasons it is really possible, feasible and practical
to create green patch areas, dig up dry canals, a number of wetlands and
connect these in a particular area. To do this, one needs to assess a local
land for its topography, understand the quality of available soil
types, assess the water table depth that exists there, select low
lying flood prone areas to which water might move towards within that land piece,
select promising fertile locations where greenery can flourish or could
be turned into green patch areas in that land piece, analyse changing
rainfall patterns, changing rainfall intensity, analyse flood
patterns, assess low lying routes which can be dug to create dry canals
through which water can automatically & naturally reach the green area
patches at times of flood, or also shall reach various wetlands, assess
and analyse effect of chosen ways of undertaking this activity on
the various biological beings, local wildlife, ecosystems and available
community resources.
Second comes the decision at where
multiple green patch areas or dry canals or wetlands will exist within
available low lying but flood prone areas, this in turn calls for doing a bit
of brainstorming coupled with a series of strategical planning. It
follows deciding a good flood resistant and drought tolerant mix of
various herbs, shrubs and trees that need to be planted, grown and
maintained in such green patch areas to ensure that greenery survives in
such patched areas during both --- dry and wet seasons.
Also needs to be decided at this stage itself is that how much land
and exactly which land piece with its location considerations needs to be left
open as an open grassland and also as an open wetland to be able to serve as a
water absorption zone. This way at this stage we finish designing a green
area layout.
Third follows the construction of a
complex network of dry canals based on previous studies. While doing this
the potential canal depths and widths must be rightly decided upon so
that it can transport sufficient the flood water at the time of floods and
in dry seasons such canals should only at a minimum use land. Within
the dug canal various rock and permeable pieces should be dispersed so
that such things can slow down the speed of the flowing water and the ground
can absorb more of such flowing water through the canals. This way we are
using a natural drainage technique.
Fourth follows the construction of several
small water bodies or wetlands near such green area patches. During heavy rains
or flood seasons the excess water will accumulate in these wetlands and
gradually water from these wetlands will be released into the connected
dry canals. In dry season, canals will harvest rain water and irrigate these
green patches. However before actually constructing a wetland one needs to decide
as to what kind of a wetland might be suitable to be built in a particular area.
For this one needs to decide whether one or more or a hybrid of all of
the groundwater fed or rain water fed or river water fed wetlands will
need to be created in a particular area. And also, if one or more of the
marshes, swamps, bogs or constructed wetlands need to be constructed in a
particularly chosen area. Also needs to be decided if different zones like
deep water areas, shallow zones or vegetable buffers need to be created in
wetlands to support the wildlife species and promote water retention
capabilities.
Fifth follows using harvested rain water
from dug canals network or ponds or wetlands created near the green area
patches to irrigate the green area patches using drip irrigation systems
or other sustainable irrigation systems. To reduce water wastage
greywater recycling systems should be used for irrigation.
Sixth plant several plants on the
ground especially in the grounds of the dug canals network, so
that the soil does not erode away and soil erosion can be prevented and the
soil fertility remain intact. In flood times, set up various
sediments or silt traps in dug canals in order to prevent this system
from clogging.
Seventh follows encouraging the local
community members to participate in creating and maintaining gardens in certain
chosen areas of the green patched areas, canals and wetlands. For this they
will have to plant, water the plants, take regular care of plants grown and
maintain these in such garden areas. But this can only be done if
the local community people are educated and made aware, in the same
regards.
For better results, one should
collaborate with various experts like hydrologists, environmentalists,
architects and civil engineers to design sustainable systems that have scheduled
maintenance for green patches, dry canals, wetlands so that they function in
short as well as in long run. To beautify gardens, one should use flood
and drought adaptable local plant species that support local biodiversity.
To succeed one should take the
precautions by installing filtering systems that prevent entry of water
pollutants with the water flowing into the green patches as it could
damage the ecosystem, by designing the overflow channels divert excess water
safely thereby preventing waterlogging in the green patches, by
regularly monitoring plant and tree health prevent their dying especially
in dry seasons when water level are low, by avoiding concrete but using
natural material lining at the borders of the canal ensure better water
absorption and heat accumulation minimization, especially during the dry
seasons, by ensuring the design does not threaten existence of local
wildlife or local birds, insects and small animals who make their habitat
within the green patches.
To sum up, during flood seasons, water
through canals reach the green patches and the nearby wetlands thereby saving
life and during non-flood seasons, sustainable irrigation,
greywater recycling and rainwater harvesting systems will irrigate and maintain
health of the green patches and the canals act as natural drainage
systems or corridors.
Creating and managing several green area
patches, dry canals and wetlands bodies nearby shall help mitigate the floods
risks and at the same time help us improve and maintain an improved natural
environment forever.
Share the creating of green area patches information
and the dry canals digging or creation of canals information given in this
article with others. Also, share
this piece of wetland information with others so that they can benefit by
creating wetlands ecosystems or the wetlands or wetland area or wetland
environment near their residence.
