Bio-engineering:
- Integrated technology that uses sound engineering practices in conjuction with ecological principles to:
a) design & construct vegetative living system to prevent erosion,
b) stabilize shallow areas of soil instability,
c) protect and enhance healthy system.
- uses live plant materials and flexible engineering techniques to eliminate environmental problems.
- Different combination of methods can be used on cut and fill slopes along roadways, landfill covers, and streambanks.
- On areas of existing or potential mass wasting, it may be best to use a bio engineered system alone or in combination with soil bioengineering.
- Construction of engineering structures are expensive, alternative cheap option so in our cases there is a need of alternative conservation methods which can be adopted with less expenditure, use locally available materials and environmentally friendly.
- To control the surface erosion on fill slope, napier was grown in Shivapuri Watershed Road erosion control program.
- Many landslides affected areas like Krishna Bhir are rehabilitated by the uses of bioengineering measures.
Advantages:
1) low cost and lower long term maintenance cost.
2) low maintenance of live plants after establishment.
3) environmental benefit of wildlife habitat.
4) water quality improvement.
5) compatibility with environmentally sensitive sites.
Application of Bioengineering
- Steep slopes
- Cut and fill slopes along roadways
- Landfill covers
- Spoil banks
- Stream banks