Dear Panditji,
Can you tell me which types of grass will prevent soil erosion?
Robin Jugguernauth
Via Email
Dear Robin
The types of plants and grasses used to prevent erosion depend on the soil texture.
Studies have shown that Vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) as a hedge is ideal to conserve
soil and rehabilitate eroded land. The plant is native to India where it is known as Khus
or Khus Khus. Vetiver Grass Technology has been adopted in South India for soil and
moisture conservation in tea plantations. Other important grasses are Congo-Signal Grass
and Cynodon.
Improved grass varieties like Napier (Pennisetum purpureum), Molasses (Melinis
minutiflora), and Stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis) cultivated in Paundi Khola Sub-Watershed
area in Nepal, can prevent soil erosion too. other kinds include Mountain Bromegrass,
slender Wheat-grass, Bluebunch Wheatgrass, Western Wheatgrass, Arizona Fescue, Streambank
Wheatgrass, Idaho Fescue (western slope), Canada Wildrye Grass and Blue Grama.
 Himachal Pradesh government is assessing
the feasibility of planting Chinese Grass in the high altitude areas to check the soil
erosion. Seabuckthoron is also being considered as its roots are embedded deep in the soil
to arrest erosion.
Dear Panditji,
While going through old issues of GT I came across hazards related to use of detergents. I
was wondering if there are any replacements for detergents?
Tavishi Khanna,
Welham Girls School
Dehradun, Uttaranchal
Dear Tavishi
Yes, detergents and soaps feature prominently in our lives. But they need not. There are a
number of safer, easily available alternatives we can choose from.In fact, you can do all
your cleaning naturally and safely without any chemicals. How? Use washing soda, baking
soda, borax, vinegar, salt, lemon, cornstarch and olive oil.
Here are some recipes and tips:
All-purpose cleaner
Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with a pint of warm water. Add a dash of lemon juice or
some vinegar. Now just put it in a spray bottle.
 Surface cleaner
Weak acids like vinegar and lemon juice are good at cutting grease. You can mix 1/2 cup
vinegar in one quart of warm water.Or, you can dissolve baking soda in hot water.
Window cleaner
Mix 1/4 cup white vinegar and one quart warm water.
Or, 1/4 cup white vinegar, one tbsp cornstarch and
one-quart warm water. Apply with a spray bottle or sponge. Wipe with crumpled newspaper
instead of paper towels for lint-free results.
Laundry
For a fabric rinse, add 1/4 cup of vinegar to the laundry bucket. This eliminates the
scratchy feel of laundered clothes by rinsing detergent completely from clothes. To
brighten clothes, add 1/2 cup of lemon juice into the water when you are rinsing clothes.
Reduce the amount of laundry detergent by adding 1/2 cup of baking soda or borax to the
wash.
These natural, biodegradable materials are preferable and safe. Another alternative to
using detergents loaded with chemicals are vegetable oil-based soaps and detergents. |
