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incorporate vegetation into the structure itself, include log and timber cribs, gabion and rock-
breast walls, welded wire walls, and reinforced earth. Internal, tensile reinforcements
utilizing the principles of bioengineering permit construction of over steepened fill slopes to
as much as 70º (Gray and Sotir, 1992).
As noted by Gray and Sotir (1995, p. 6), “Biotechnical and soil bioengineering stabilization
offer a cost-effective and attractive approach for stabilizing slopes against erosion and
shallow mass movement. These approaches capitalize on the advantages and benefits that
vegetation offers for erosion control and slope protection.” Soil bioengineering relies mainly
on the use of native materials, such as plant stems or branches, rocks, wood, or soil.
Appropriate vegetation can be obtained from local sources of willow, alder, and other native,
easily-propagated varieties. In addition, soil bioengineering systems commonly are
environmentally compatible during the construction process because they generally require
minimal access for equipment and workers, and cause relatively minor disturbance. With
time, the bioengineering systems are visually non-intrusive and blend into the natural
surroundings. This is a favorable attribute in environmentally sensitive areas, such as parks,
riparian areas, and scenic corridors, where aesthetic quality, wildlife habitat and ecological
restoration are important (Gray and Sotir, 1996).Hence bioengineering soil stabilization is a
very suitable option for Kullu. As bioengineered structures that utilize tree species become
older, they have the added benefit that they become more stable, and eventually assist in the
natural succession and long-term colonization of forest species.
If exotic species of plants or trees are introduced, there is a real danger that they will conflict
with native plant life. Native plants are nearly always an excellent choice. In most cases,
native grasses, shrubs, and trees are used as the vegetation in bioengineering stabilization.
Willow has been very successful in many parts of the world. Clumping plants, which produce
several stems from one root, also work well. Deep-rooted plants, such as prairie plants, hold
their own on even the steepest slope. Ornamental grasses, ground cover roses and shrubs
(including shrub roses with a sprawling growth habit) work well in hillside and slope
planting. Snowberry plantation is also a good option for Kullu region.
While detailed slope stability assessments have normally been carried out by geotechnical
engineers and engineering geologists, the organic interactions between vegetation, soil, and
structures that must be evaluated in applying the technique of bioengineering stabilization are
perhaps better understood by soil scientists, agriculturists, foresters, and hydrologists
(Greenway, 1986). Thus the bioengineering approach to slope stabilization requires
cooperation of geoscience and plant-science disciplines working in parallel and in unison.