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org Cell: 03015456088
Works: Behind Ammad Marble Factory, Near Buffa Doraha, Silk Route, Mansehra, NWFP
Khidmat Markaz, QadirNagar, near Village Katto Ka Thattha, PO, Khairpur Bhattian, Tehsil & District
Nankana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan
For The Cause That Lacks Assistance! For The Wrong That Needs Resistance!
And For The Good That We Can Do!
03-07-2007
Islamabad
To : The Coordinator
Environmental Recovery Programme
UNDP
Subject: SLOPE STABALIZATION:
Sir,
INTRODUCTION: I represent a Bioenvironmental Approach to Sustainable Development and am
heading a small, yet effective R&D NGO (Registered) that is operating in the field of Sustainable
Development for the last 20 years. We have made remarkable breakthroughs in the fields of Agri/
Horticulture Yields Enhancement; Liquid & Solid Waste Management; Low-Cost Environment
Protected/ Earth Quake Housing; Alternate Energy Water Pumping and Soil Conservation.
BACKGROUND: The hallmark of management is to perceive threats and take timely measures to
avert them. In this regard, I wish to bring to your attention a matter of deep concern. It has been
observed that in some areas of Muzaffarabad District, Mountain sides, denuded of Forest cover, have
suffered from SLOPE DESTABALIZATION! During discussions with relevant Forest and Military
Authorities it was discovered that a step called GREEN STABALIZATION has been taken to
overcome expected further land slides that would have harmful affects upon the strategic road linking
Garhi Habibullah and Muzaffarabad. As I have not had an opportunity to survey the entire Earth Quake
affected Area, I am not in a position to say whether similar destabilization has occurred elsewhere.
It is my firm belief that denuded slopes were the worst hit localities during the tragic quake and had
resulted in wiping out entire villages unfortunate enough to have been located below such slopes. In
case there are any populated areas below similarly affected slopes they too will be in danger of further
landslides.
3. PROBLEM STATEMENT: The advent of the monsoon rains will prove to be disastrous for such
destabilized slopes as Green Stabilization, while a fine concept has to take into consideration the long
lead time required for Trees to establish themselves before they can successfully exercise their inbuilt
ability to hold the soil in place. Secondly, trees are planted under wet conditions, either during or after
rains. Due to this factor the trees roots spread in a more lateral than horizontal manner. It is only at the
advent of dry conditions that rooting hormones are produced within the system to signal the
requirement of deep penetration requirement of the roots in order to tap additional sources of moisture.
This results in further time lag in establishing a deep root system.
These two facts when taken together have led me to the conclusion that there is a dire need for
immediate measures to mitigate the foreseen problem.
4. SOLUTIONS: Scientific advances and our own on-ground trials have proven solutions that will
prove to be effective in this regard. There are three recommendations for maximization of impact and
ensuring a complete solution to a perceived threat.
Polyacrylamide (PAM):
Rooting & Fruiting Hormones (Natural Extract from Seaweed).
Hydroseeding.
4.1 Polyacrylamide (PAM): Polyacrylamide is a new generation of chemicals introduced
commercially in the United States only in the last eleven years. The organic components of
polyacrylamide were developed to chemically control erosive forces at the molecular level by holding
soils in place and ionically bonding them together to increase the particle size. This results is increased
water infiltration through the particle spaces and decreased erodibility of the soil particles.
PAM seeks out and binds to the broken edges of soil particles, which carry a negative charge. By
increasing the cohesiveness of soil particles on the soil surface of a field, PAM makes soil more
resistant to the highly erosive shear forces exerted by water flowing over it. It takes very little PAM to
dramatically cut erosion and increase infiltration. Just 10 parts per million (ppm) added to the
advancing stream can reduce erosion by 70-99%. If there is a significant amount of sediment suspended
in the water supply, PAM will cause it to flocculate and settle out almost immediately.
Extract from: POLYACRYLAMIDE AS A SOIL STABILIZER FOR EROSION
CONTROL FINAL REPORT # WI-06-98 New Product Evaluation # PE-97-06 Prepared By:
Kenneth N. Nwankwo, P.E. Technology Advancement Engineer
Wisconsin Department of Transportation,
Division of Transportation Infrastructure Development
Bureau of Highway Construction
January 2001
The Technology Advancement Unit of the Division of Transportation Infrastructure Development,
Bureau of Highway Construction, conducts and manages the highway technology advancement
program of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The Federal Highway Administration
provides financial and technical assistance for these activities, including review and approval of
publications.
“The performance of polyacrylamide in controlling erosion is based on the fact that it is a flocculant. It
forms ionic bonds of smaller soil particles together to make larger particles. This makes the soil more
resistant to the erosive forces of dispersion and shear. Further, the polyacrylamide enhances the
intrusion of water into the soil, resulting in increased soil moisture to promote seed germination, lower
runoff, and less soil detachment from erosion. Comparison of the polyacrylamide (PAM) with other
erosion control products that are currently used by Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)
shows that this product is effective in controlling erosion. In addition, it is relatively inexpensive when
compared to erosion mat, very easily applied, is not affected by weather conditions, and when applied
following the manufacture’s recommendations is environmentally safe.”
The above extract warrants immediate trials of the product in order to ensure that further damage is not
done to an already fractured landscape.
4.2 Rooting & Fruiting Hormones Seed Pre-Treatment:
GIBBERELLINS: Gibberellins cause enlargement of cell walls, particularly internode cells and some
fruit cells. They cause breaking of dormancy, move freely in the plant and are produced in the roots and
new leaves.
CYTOKININS: Cytokinins are produced in the root tips and are carried upwards in the xylem tissue.
They loose concentration as they move towards the leaves. Cytokinins affect cell division.
Hormones are produced in some organs and move to other organs to change their characteristics. For
instance, in wheat early growth is dominated by Gibberellins, the middle stage by Cytokinins and the
later stages by Auxins.
HORMONE INTERACTION:
Root Initiation: High Cytokinin/ Auxin rates develop shoot growth. It reduces the Auxin+ IAA effect.
The above ratios inhibit shoot growth of roots towards the tip. When Cytokinins are lower back from
the root tip, branch roots will grow. When Auxin rates get really high, adventitious roots will appear
from the stem.
The hormone balance of the plant is responsible for dictating its response to environment factors. This
is of prime importance and the major factor for maximum economic yield if response is adequate.
Good nutrition is essential for the health of the plant but will fail to provide the desired results in case a
plant is unable to use this nutrition. The size, shape and yield of a plant depend upon hormone balance.
Fertilizer nutrients do affect this balance but the major factor is the climate. With changes in climate
the hormone balance of the plant is altered. This is more in some varieties of plants and less in others.
This is dictated by the genetics of that particular plant. It is possible to change the Genetic Expression
of a plant so that it can quickly adjust to climate change. Thus it is not essential to change the basic
Genetics of a plant, which is quite an expensive proposition. By modifying the genetic expression of a
plant we can weather proof it and ensure that climate change has less impact. Since the last many years,
we in Pakistan are facing the problem of vagaries in weather that is causing a serious drop in yields.
Thus, it is important to introduce this alteration of genetic expression.
If the soil remains dry after planting, the root will grow downwards; if the soil remains wet it will cause
the roots to grow sideways. The genetic expression of root growth is determined within the first 15
days after germination. Its genetic expression does not change thereafter. Since we plant in wet
conditions, we ensure sideways development of the root system. In case of root development in the
upper area of the soil, the plant will be less drought resistant and easily uprooted. Deep penetration will
make the plant drought resistant and well anchored. It is possible to treat seed with hormones and make
it “think” that it is growing in dry soil, no matter if the soil is actually wet.
Hormones are naturally occurring elements and compounds. Thus, the use of these elements and
compounds are environmentally safe and highly desirable. It is important to note that hormone use in
plants is nowise similar to indiscriminate hormones use in Poultry Production. The hormones suggested
for use with plants are only those that would be normally produced by the plant itself if it were healthy
or were to receive a balanced “Diet”. These hormone Products are registered with the EPA of the USA
and natural extracts from Seaweed.
Method employed is to soak seed for a few minutes in the Product (Dosing rate is merely 2 mL per Kg
seed. Seed is then allowed to dry and used for planting.
4.3 Hydroseeding: (or hydro-mulching, hydraulic mulch seeding, hydraseeding) is a planting process
which utilizes a slurry of seed and mulch. The slurry is transported in a tank, either truck or trailer
mounted and sprayed over prepared ground in a uniform layer; helicopters may be used in cases where
larger areas must be covered. Hydroseeding is an alternative to the traditional process of broadcasting
or sowing dry seed. It promotes quick germination and inhibits soil erosion.
The mulch in the hydroseed mixture helps maintain the moisture level of the seed and seedlings. The
slurry often has other ingredients including fertilizer, tackifying agents, green dye, and other additives.
4. CONCLUSION: It is imperative that this proposal be given your consideration. The impact of such
a positive step is bound to generate goodwill and earn the gratitude of a bewildered Public in the
aftermath of the tragedy that that struck them. The yeoman spirit that your Organization has faced,
despite great difficulties, in providing succour to the populace will long be remembered. I urge you to
add yet another Golden Chapter to the list of your accomplishments.
We have a small quantity of PAM and Seed Treatment Materials available for demonstration with
enablement. It is further submitted that a sum of $100,000.00 with 50% advance would enable us to
procure all materials required for Hydro Mulch Seeding within a period of 15 Days. At a rate of Rs.
10.00 per square foot we would be able to stabilize slopes that are accessible by road of 6,00,000
square feet or 20 sites of 300 feet x 100 feet within the Monsoon period. This would include grass seed
for rapid establishment and tree seeds as per area.
Looking forward to a quick and positive response, I wish to remain, Sir,
Yours Sincerely
Sardar Taimur Hyat-Khan
Chairman, for Khidmat Foundation
(No relation with Al-Khidmat)
0301-5456088
1, Gulistan Colony, College Road, Abbottabad Cantt. N.W.F.P.
Tel: (0301) 5456088 email: timuryat@[Link]