Background: Gujarat has the longest coastline of all the states in India - 1,600 km (one third of the total Indian Coastline of 4,800 km). Sea water ingress, which was observed to a distance of 2.5 - 4.5 km from the coast in 1971, had encroached inland to a distance of 5.0 - 7.5 km. from the coast in 1977. An increase in the ratio of chloride, carbonate and bicarbonate ions (CL / CO3, HCO3) was also noted towards the coast, indicating considerable mixing of seawater with local ground water. Due to this, both, quality and crop yields in the coastal belts of Saurashtra and Kutch, known for cultivation of high value cash crops (rice, wheat, sugarcane, mango, coconut, garden vegetables, etc.) decreased between 33% - 90% vis-à-vis original yields. Similar adverse effect has been witnessed in the area of Gulf of Khambhat too. Among the different stretches of Gujarat’s coastal wasteland, characteristics of Gulf of Khambhat are unique and are known for its vast saline mudflats and an estuarine complex along the coast. Gulf of Khambhat is 70 km wide and 130 km long indentation on the western shelf of Indian coast between Saurashtra Peninsula and the main land of Gujarat. Nine rivers, including the Narmada, Tapi, Mahi and Sabarmati meet Bay of Khambhat and drain water from about 150,000 Sq. Km. Bay of Khambhat receives 45% of mud with total quantity of waters. Stretches with mud flats are influenced by marine deposition and by river action. The gulf has a marshy coastline on all sides and is also dotted with small islands locally described as ‘Bhets’. The region is locally known as Bhal because of the barrenness, which is again due to high levels of salinity.

Since the natural systems of salinity control mechanisms like mangroves and coastal vegetation are severely degraded in the region, communities are facing serious threats from the increasing salinity thereby becoming more fragile and finding it difficult to cope with the changi-

osited on the plants and onto the soil. It causes severe leaf burn and defoliation; over time, the plants become stunted and fail to thrive, especially those growing on the seaward side. The problem gets compounded as salt accumulates in the soil, which adversely affects agriculture. Shelter belt approach in few villages of Khambhat region by Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) has contributed significantly in the process of re-vegetation of the saline mudflats and the protection and management of the resources.

Dhandhuka taluka of Ahmedabad district in Gujarat. The overall goal of the interventions is to evolve a sustainable and people centric model for reducing impact of salinity ingress on the agriculture and thereby the livelihood of the communities living along the coast.

The key activities would revolve around creation of shelter belt to reduce the impact of salt laden winds, reclamation of saline affected farmland, as well as demonstration of appropriate water management practices by promoting drip and sprinkler, construction of farm ponds to conserve water, promotion of intercropping of salinity tolerant horticulture crop species, along with promotion of appropriate technologies and alternatives for drinking water and strengthening institutional mechanism’s for sustainable resource management.