Description of practice
Bunds are lines of stones or earth constructed along contour lines. They help control soil erosion by surface water runoff and allow water to infiltrate, leading to better crop water availability. Over time bunds often gradually form into terraces.
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Examples of how to use earth bunds |
Further information (see Note below) |
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Earth bundsEarth bunds are constructed by piling a ridge of soil along contour lines to intercept runoff. |
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Earth bunds with tied ridgesAn earth bund is constructed by digging a shallow ditch along contour lines and piling the earth downslope to intercept runoff. Tied ridges connect the ditch to the bund. |
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Stone-faced soil bundsAn earth bund with ditch and tied ridges is constructed along contour lines to intercept runoff. The bund is reinforced by a stone wall. |
»WOCAT technology 980 |
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Stone linesRows of loose stones are laid along contour lines as a semi-permeable sheet erosion control structure, slowing down the speed of runoff, filtering it and spreading it over the field. |
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Fanya juu terracesEarth bunds are created by digging a trench along contour lines and piling the soil upslope to form an embankment that is often stabilized with fodder grasses or shrubs. |
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Rock wallA substantial construction of stones and rocks is piled along the contour line to reduce soil erosion in hilly areas. |
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Note: Most of the Further information links are to a full description of the example in the WOCAT database. However sometimes the link may be to similar practices or a research paper. Occasionally the link is to a commercial product in which case it should be understood that this does not imply any endorsement of the product by iSQAPER.