Watershed Management in Dryland Areas
Concept of Watershed and Watershed Management
- Watershed: A watershed is a natural hydrological unit where rainfall and surface runoff drain into a common point (stream, river, or reservoir).
It is also called a catchment area or drainage basin. - Watershed Management: It is the scientific planning, utilization, and conservation of land, water, and vegetation within a watershed to achieve sustainable agricultural production, livelihood security, and environmental balance.
- Key idea: “Treat the watershed as a single unit, conserve every drop of rain where it falls, and use it efficiently for crops, livestock, and people.”
Importance of Watershed Management in Dryland Areas
Dryland areas (rainfall < 750–1150 mm, prone to droughts) face serious challenges like soil erosion, water scarcity, low productivity, and poverty. Watershed management plays a vital role here:
Water Conservation & Availability
- Captures and stores rainwater through check dams, farm ponds, percolation tanks, contour bunding.
- Recharges groundwater and improves availability for irrigation and drinking.
- Reduces dependency on erratic monsoon.
Fact: About 60% of India’s cultivated area is rainfed; watershed management can increase water-use efficiency by 30–50%.
Soil Conservation
- Prevents runoff and soil erosion (a major issue in drylands).
- Improves soil fertility and reduces siltation of reservoirs.
- Practices like contour ploughing, vegetative barriers, cover crops are used.
Fact: Annual soil loss in India = 5.3 billion tons; watershed management can reduce it significantly.
Improved Agricultural Productivity
- Enhances crop yields by 20–60% due to better moisture availability.
- Promotes multiple cropping and crop diversification (from millets/pulses → oilseeds, horticulture).
- Facilitates precision farming practices (timely sowing, nutrient use, etc.).
Livelihood and Resource Sustainability
- Encourages afforestation, pasture development, agroforestry, which support livestock.
- Generates employment in rural areas (soil works, water harvesting structures).
- Improves fuelwood, fodder, and non-timber products availability.
Drought Proofing and Climate Resilience
- Reduces vulnerability to droughts and climate variability.
- Provides a buffer against crop failure through water harvesting + diversified farming systems.
- Builds long-term resilience of ecosystems.
Components of Watershed Management
- In-situ Moisture Conservation – contour bunding, mulching, conservation tillage.
- Ex-situ Water Harvesting – farm ponds, percolation tanks, nala bunds.
- Soil Fertility Improvement – green manuring, organic matter, balanced fertilization.
- Afforestation & Pasture Development – to stabilize soil and provide fodder.
- Cropping System Diversification – drought-tolerant crops, short-duration varieties.
- Community Participation – watershed committees, self-help groups.
Institutional Support in India
- ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad → research on dryland/watershed management.
- ICAR-AICRPDA (All India Coordinated Research Project on Dryland Agriculture).
- NWDPRA (National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas).
- IWMP (Integrated Watershed Management Programme).
Fact: By 2023, >85 million hectares in India have been treated under watershed programmes.
- Watershed management is a holistic approach to manage land, water, and vegetation in drylands.
- It ensures soil & water conservation, improved productivity, livelihood security, and ecological balance.
- It is the backbone of sustainable dryland agriculture in India, where more than 50% of food grains and 90% of millets/pulses come from rainfed areas.
Watershed management in drylands is not just about water—it’s about integrating soil, water, crops, livestock, and people for sustainable productivity.
