Watershed Management 2008

watershed diagram 2008

WHAT IS A WATERSHED? Watershed is a geographic area of land, water, and biota within the confines of a drainage divide. The total area above a given point of a water body that contributes flow to that point. 2008

Why Watershed Management Approach?

The balanced ecosystem and human system are vital indicators of a sustainable environment and better quality of human life.

In rural areas, livelihood and natural resources such as land, water, vegetation and livestock are inter-linked.

However, degradation of the natural resources due to increasing biotic pressure on the fragile eco-system with breakdown of traditional local management institutions is threatening the entire human population.

2008

PROBLEMS & CHALLENGES

Approximately 130 million hectare of land suffers from degradation/ desertification

Affecting around 300 million people

Accounting for 2.4% of total geographic area in the world, India supports 16% human population and 18% of the livestock population

2008

LONG-TERM PLAN OF GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

National Forestry Action Programme (2000-2020) plans to bring one-third of county,s geographical area under forest/tree cover- Estimated cost Rs 1339 billion (US$26.8 billion)

Integrated Watershed Development Programme (1997-2022) aims to cover 63 million Ha with an estimated cost of Rs 760 billion (US$15.2 billion)

2008

RESOURCE MOBILIZATION DURING TENTH FIVE YEAR PLAN (2002-07)

in billion rupee

National Afforestation Programme 10.25

through Forest Development Agencies (FDAs)

Integrated Watershed Development programme 18.00

Desert Development Programme 11.00

Drought Prone Area Programme 15.00

2008

Integrated Watershed Approach IWM is the process of planning and implementing water and natural resources …… an emphasis on integrating the bio-physical, socio-economic and institutional aspects. Social issues are addressed through involvement of women and minority . Community led water users groups have led the implementation efforts. 2008 1970 1980 1990 2000 Public Participation Watershed development program Low High Mainly water conservation Socio-economic with water conservation Socio-economic, water conservation, participation Public participation planning, design, implementation Project success

Watershed Management Approach The balanced ecosystem and human system are vital indicators of a sustainable environment and better quality of human life. In rural areas, livelihood and natural resources such as land, water, vegetation and livestock are inter-linked. However, degradation of the natural resources due to increasing biotic pressure on the fragile eco-system with breakdown of traditional local management institutions is threatening the entire human population. 2008

Objectives

Is to improve quality of life with sustainable management of natural resources.

Promote appropriate technologies for efficient and sustainable use of rain water.

Conservation of soil and improve the land productivity

Regenerate the vegetation cover on denuded wastelands, promote tree based farming systems and sustainable agriculture.

Bring the underprivileged sections of society in to the mainstream

Equip rural communities for sustainable management of the natural resources.

2008

Objectives

Development of vegetation cover, surface water storage systems are predominant activities in hilly terrain with shallow top soil while ground water recharge measures are main the activities in the plains.

The micro-watershed development works are executed following the concept of Ridge - to - Valley with the active participation of the local community.

2008

Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainable agriculture practices are promoted in watersheds which mainly include tree based farming, horticulture, cash crops, use of biofertilisers, etc. Development of pasture on village common lands and improved livestock management are also the primary activities.

2008

People's Participation

The key to the success of the project and its sustainability is people's participation. For achieving the desired participation of people, role of community organisations and/or community groups is crucial.

People play an active role right from project design up to project maintenance. Watershed programme follows the chain of actions starting with rapport building with people, PRA exercises, participatory planning, designing, building community organisations, participatory implementation and monitoring.

2008

Gender

Women and men are brought together in the village level community organisations. The women's SHGs are formed to build the capacity and confidence of women members.

Various micro-enterprises are promoted to make them financially empowered. The women's workload is considerably reduced due to easy access to safe drinking water sources, promotion of firewood plantations and inculcating the use of energy efficient cooking devices.

Efforts are taken to build the capacity of women and men through training and exposure visits to developed areas. All this leads to active participation of women in the watershed development projects.

2008

Micro-plan :By the people, for the people and of the people 2008

Entry-point activities : Communities contribute labor components - governments provide material components 2008

Example – Water harvesting structure by Self Help Groups (SHGs) 2008

Example: Soil moisture conservation measures 2008

Non-timber forest produce (NTFP) Forest regeneration Benefits/incentives 2008

Soil concentration in Gullies 2008

Loose Boulder Structure 2008

Vegetative Barrier 2008

Strengthening existing field bunds 2008

Stone Bunds 2008

Vegetable barrier: Koppiri grass 2008