Effect of fly ash on Crop Production around coal-fired thermal power plant in rural India
Abstract
The fly ash emitting from Kolaghat thermal power plant (KTPP), India, is affecting the crop production in the vicinity of power plant. Use of NPK fertilizers for cereal crops has increased by 0 -50% in the surrounding area (<4k m) during last four years (2011 -2015) whereas it is 14.29% - 33.33% for the rest of Kolaghat block. Increase in use of nitrogen and phosphorus bearing fertilizers have been observed but potassium requirement (0 -25%) has become lower within area 4km radius from KTPP. For the remaining area of the block, it is quite higher than that of adjacent area. Pest incidence has increased (66.67%) throughout the study area. But a considerable increase in pest attack has been observed in the nearer circles of KTPP. Dose s of pesticides are higher (25% - 100%) in the adjacent area (<4km) than the rest of the block (12.5% - 46.67%). Yields of different cultivated crops also have decreased by 1.08% - 24.7% in the area close to KTPP. On the other hand, the rest of the block ha s experienced little yield deviation ( -0.2% to -9.34%) for all crops expect wheat (+6.48%), maize (+0.41%), mustard (+10.08%), and moong (Vigna radiata ) that have gained more yields (+10.25%) . Consequently, the cost of cultivation (<4km) is higher (12.5% -76.47%) than the rest (6.58% -62.5%) of the block. The results clearly show that the adverse impact of fly ash on crop production in the proximity (<4km) of KTPP. Site -specific crop adaptation, resources management, organic farming and good agricultural practices can nourish the agricultural sustainability and improve the socio -economic status in the affected area of coal -fired thermal power plant in rural India.
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Introduction
Agriculture is the livelihood of 58 % population of India (www.ibef.org/industry/agriculture-presentation). Agriculture sustains the rural economy of agrarian communities. Farming communities grow many crops for their own consumption and earning money by selling the agricultural produces in the local markets. Production of crops depends on soil, water, weather &climate, available inputs etc. Conducive environment supports the crop cultivation through sustainable uses of natural resources to maximize the potential yield of cultivated crops. Intensive cultivation and injudicious uses of agricultural inputs intensify the poor health of soil and congenial condition of pest infestation in the rural areas. In addition, natural calamities, hazards and pollution also instigate the poor productivity of soil and proneness of infestation. Coal burned thermal power plant encourages fly ash pollution in the adjacent area (Adak, et al., 2016). Fly ash is affecting the soil properties and microclimate around the power plant (Arun,et al., 2009). Kolaghat block in the district of Purba Medinipur , West Bengal is experiencing the impact of fly ash coming out from the Kolaghat thermal power plant(KTPP) situated in the Kolaghat block at 22028’16”N and 87052’12”E on the right bank of the Rupnarayan river in the district of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal . The KTPP was installed in the year 1984. Now it has six units amounting total capacity of 1260MW. The power plant consumes 18000 ton of coal and generates 75000-8000 ton ash per day. The considerable amount of fly ash subsides in the surrounding area within 4km from KTPP (Adak, et.al, 2016; Dasgupta, A. and Paul, S., 2011). The fly ash influences the soil properties and modifies soil pH to alkaline due to alkaline nature of fly ash (pH 8.4).Addition of fly ash increased the pH of amendments from 6.15 to 7.05 (Gond, et al., 2013). It reflected that soil reaction of adjacent area (<4 km) of thermal power plant was alkaline (> 7.5) which reduced the production potential of crops needed for subsistence & economy in the locality (Adak, et al., 2016). Soils become more alkaline due to alkaline nature of fly ash around coal based thermal power plant (Adak, et al., 2016;Pokale, W. K., 2012;; Basu, et al., 2009; Singh, et al., 1995). The climate and soil within the distance of 4 km from KTPP are influenced by emission of fly ash (Adak, et al., 2016). Due to it the crop acreage of kolaghat block is reducing with the passage of time from the year of installment (Adak, et al., 2016). The pressure on productivity per unit area is mounting to meet the required demand of the agricultural products. Therefore, intensive cultivation with high cropping intensity is being practiced in the impact region of flay ash. Doses of fertilizers increase to yield the optimum produces. Depression in yields was reported due to toxicity of boron and deficiency of phosphorus and zinc in fly ash used for agriculture (Chatterjee, R.K. and Ratan R.K., 1987). Pest incidence occurs frequently and pest population begets more and due to crop to crop sequence and no fallow or no crop time is allowed. The crops consequently are losing their yield capacity. Average grain & biomass yields of wheat have been affected by the application of different levels of fly ash (Aggarwal, et al., 2009). In the surrounding area of coal burned thermal power plant, agriculture is affected (Adak,et al., 2016). Agrawal & Agrawal (1989) showed that plants in the vicinity are affected by coal-fired thermal power plant during the study of assessing the impact of air pollutants on vegetation around Obra thermal power plant (1550 MW) in the Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh. Warhate (2009) studied the impact of coal mining on Air, Water & Soil on the surrounding area of coal mining at Wani dist. Yavatmal. Environmental segments namely air, water & soil in this area are affected within 10-15 km from the source. Human beings, animal kingdom, plants & soil are extensively affected within 5 km of the source.The increase in quantity of fertilizer application, frequency and quantity of pest controlling agents and cost of cultivation hinders the agricultural sustainability. The decrease in yield of crops affects the socio-economic status of the concerned area. In this regard, Kolaghat block has been considered as the victim of losing crop production and increasing cost of cultivation due to fly ash coming out from the Kolaghat thermal power plant. The objectives of the study:
- To assess the change in doses of fertilizers for providing major plant nutrients (NPK).
- To show the types of pest incidence, nature and doses of pesticides used in the concerned area.
- To examine the temporal and spatial impact of fly ash on crop production.
- To illustrate the increase in cost of cultivation due to Coal fired thermal power plant.
- To suggest and recommend some mitigating measures to improve the socio-economic status of the region.
Conclusion
Kolaght thermal power plant is affecting the agricultural sustainability in the locality within 4km distance. The farming community is losing their interest in crop cultivation because the cost of production increases with the time. Use of fertilizers and pesticides become more in the surrounding area of KTPP where land is losing its fertility and pest infestation is increasing. These le ad the high cost of production. The incurred cost for farming is higher in the adjacent area (<4km) though it is increas ing throughout the block with passage of time due to increase in cost of fertilizers , pesticides, electricity, fossil fuel, seeds, labour etc. Proper utilization and management of bottom ash and fly ash may improve the persistent condition of the locality. Site specific resources evaluation and management should be adopted to ab ate the impact of fly ash. Organic farming and precision agriculture will lead the agricultural sustainability. These will incur less input for cultivation and their organic sources with the specification of requirement will involve less cost of cultivation. Scientific awareness will highlight the problems and find ways to overcome. All the constructive attempts should nourish the agricultural sustainability to boost the socio -economic condition of the affected area of fly ash.