5.8 Khazan (saline) lands

The tidal estuaries of Goa stretch some 30 km inland. Either side of the estuaries lie "khazans": saline floodplains that lie below sea level at high tide. Over centuries, Goans have reclaimed these lands with an intricate system of dykes (bunds) and sluice gates. These barriers prevent salt water from entering the fields.

Eight of the 11 talukas (subdistricts) in Goa have a total of 17,500 ha under khazans. At least 2000 ha (12% of the total) are under dense mangrove vegetation. The mangroves help protect the outer side of the mud and laterite bunds that enclose the khazan. The total length of these bunds is about 2000 km.

Cultivation of the khazan lands dates back at least 3000 years. After 400 A.D., royal charters granted them to high-caste Hindu (Brahmin) settlers. Age-old co-operative, self-governing institutions known as gaunkaris or communidades reclaimed the khazan lands, engineered the intricate system of bunds and sluices, and maintained the khazan infrastructure. In 1975, this complex task was transferred to government-supervised "tenants associations". These are comprised of farmers who benefit from a particular protective bund. There are 138 such associations in Goa with a total of 20,000 farmer members.

Before reclamation

After reclamation

Biodiversity

As a result of careful management of the khazans, the estuarine biodiversity has been largely retained and enriched despite population pressure in these areas. The khazans have a wide range of indigenous and introduced plant species, many tolerant to salinity.

Mussels, clams, oysters, crabs and prawns arc harvested seasonally and appear in village markets. The fish and shellfish sustain a large population of indigenous and migratory birds and the "mugger", or marsh crocodile.

Khazan and estuarine areas of Goa

Biodiversity of khazan and estuarine lands

Plants: Endemic and introduced
Mangroves: 15 species
Rice: 17 salt-tolerant varieties are cultivated
Grasses and weeds: 20 species
Fish and shellfish: 10 varieties of edible bivalves, 6 of mussels, and clams, oysters, crabs and prawns
Birds: Many resident and migratory birds
Crocodiles, other reptiles
Mammals
Insects and other invertebrates not fully studied
Microflora: Salt-tolerant species of bacteria, fungi, algae and other microorganisms. 150 species of fungi so far known. Many potentially useful microorganisms have been found. Some can degrade oil, other petroleum products and pesticides. Others accumulate heavy metals such as iron and manganese.

Rice

Conditions in the khazan pose special problems for agriculture. The khazan soils are poorly drained and acidic (pH 4.8-5.3), relatively high in organic carbon and iron, and low in calcium.

Numerous types of wild rice have evolved to suit the saline conditions of the khazan. Over centuries, farmers have cultivated rice, selecting and replanting the best strains. In this way, new salt-tolerant varieties have developed, containing genes of enormous value to plant breeders. But these traditional varieties are gradually being replaced by modern, high-yielding varieties. The older varieties and their germplasm are disappearing.

Salt-tolerant rice varieties used in khazan farming

Khazan land agro-ecosystem

Cost of a sluice-gate

There are about 600 sluice-gates in khazan areas of Goal Every year the wooden structure needs replacement. This structure is made from beams of local matti timber. Planks of mango or ghoting are used for shutters and horizontal beams. Each structure needs 100 cubic feet of wood and costs Rs 35,000.

Economic value of the khazan

Besides agriculture, the khazan ecosystem supports 200 ha of traditional salt manufacture, 2000 ha of coconuts and intensive fisheries.

It employs 40,000 farmers, 15,000 horticulturists and toddy-tappers (known locally as renderos), 10,000 fisherfolk and 10,000 others. These activities generate about Rs 150 to 250 million a year. It is estimated that more intensive sustainable use of the khazan land ecosystem could directly and indirectly generate a total of 115,000 jobs.

Impact of "development"

Development activities have had significant impacts on the ecology and economy of the khazan and estuarine areas.

Unfortunately the pace of degradation of the khazan ecology has increased in recent years. This is due to short-sighted planning, public apathy, industrialization and urbanization. The economic lives of the poor will continue to be affected, unless something is done to conserve or restore this complex and valuable ecosystem and its biological resources.

Employment types

1. Estuarine and tidal areas

· Fishing
· Shellfish collection
· Shell extraction for lime-making
· Boat transport

2. Embankments

· Building, supervision, repair, maintainance

3. Farming

· Cultivation of salt-tolerant rice during monsoon
· Pisciculture on co-operative scale after monsoon
· Intentional flooding every 3 years to kill weeds and pests

4. Plantation crops

· Mainly coconut. Also cashew, banana, mango, papayas, onions, chillies
· Seasonal crops
· Vegetables, tubers
· Salt production

The declining salt industry of Goa

From 1891 to 1991, the number of salt-producing villages in khazan areas of Goa dwindled from 36 to 13. The number of working salt pans fell from 268 to 119, and crude salt production declined from 40,000 t to just 18,000 t per year.

Unique agro-ecosystem

The khazan lands are a unique agro-ecosystem that has proven its sustainability through centuries of use. Although they are the result of conversion of natural estuarine ecosystems, they do not seriously alter either its physical or living components. Instead, the khazans work with existing natural features. Unlike many modern forms of agriculture, the range of agricultural species and varieties adds to the diversity of the estuaries.

Prepared by Nandkumar Kamat

Information kit produced by
WWF-India, Goa division and the
International Institute of Rural
Reconstruction.