Watershed Management 

Introduction

Soil, water, and vegetation are three critical natural resources that are interdependent and essential for sustaining life and agriculture. To manage these resources effectively, a unified approach is required, and this is where watershed management comes in. A watershed provides an ideal unit for the integrated management of these resources, ensuring sustainable agricultural development, improving water availability, and controlling environmental hazards like floods and droughts.

Concept of Watershed Management

A watershed is defined as a geographical area where all the runoff water from precipitation is collected and drained through a common outlet. The boundary of a watershed is marked by a natural divide, and it consists of the entire area from which runoff flows into a common point (such as a river, lake, or reservoir).

• Importance of Watersheds: Watersheds are fundamental to agricultural development, as the status of water resources plays a key role in determining agricultural productivity. A watershed with a distinct hydrological boundary is considered ideal for planning agricultural development programs.
• Objectives of Watershed Management: The goal of watershed management is to optimize the use of land, water, and vegetation in a given area to address environmental concerns such as droughts, floods, soil erosion, and water scarcity. The aim is to improve agricultural productivity and the availability of food, fodder, fuel, and fiber, ensuring sustainability.
• Scope of Watershed Management: It includes the rational utilization of land and water resources for maximizing production while minimizing risks to natural resources. By applying watershed management principles, floods can be mitigated, soil erosion can be prevented, and water resources can be conserved.

History of Watershed Management

Watershed management has been a focus of several programs launched by the Indian Government over the years:

1. 1962 – River Valley Project (RVP): Soil conservation activities in the catchments of river valley projects.
2. 1977-78 – Desert Development Programme (DDP): Launched by the Ministry of Rural Development, focusing on arid regions like Rajasthan, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir.
3. 1980 – Integrated Watershed Management: The Ministry of Agriculture initiated this scheme for flood-prone river catchments.
4. 1982 – Water Harvesting Techniques: Implemented in rainfed areas of India, with pilot projects set up in 19 locations.
5. 1987 – Drought Prone Area Development Programme (DPAP): This and the DDP both adopted the watershed development approach.
6. 1989 – Integrated Watershed Development Project (IWDP): Launched by the National Wasteland Development Board (NWDB).

 Watershed Development Programmes Under Various Departments

1. Department of Agriculture

• NWDPRA (National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas): Focuses on developing rainfed areas.
• RVP (Soil Conservation in Catchments of River Valley Projects): Aims to conserve soil in river valley project catchments.
• WDPSCA (Watershed Development Project in Shifting Cultivation Areas): Targets shifting cultivation areas for better soil and water management.
• WDF (Watershed Development Fund): Provides financial support for watershed projects.

2. Ministry of Rural Development

• DPAP (Drought Prone Area Programme): Aims to address the needs of drought-prone areas.
• DDP (Desert Development Programme): Focuses on desert regions, enhancing resource use.
• IWDP (Integrated Wasteland Development Programme): Aims to reclaim wastelands through watershed management.

3. Ministry of Environment and Forests IAEDP (Integrated Afforestation and Eco-development Projects): Focuses on afforestation and eco-development to restore watersheds.

Classification of Watersheds Based on Size, Shape, and Drainage

Watersheds are classified according to their size, drainage characteristics, and suitability for management. They include:

1. Macro Watershed: >50,000 hectares
2. Sub-Macro Watershed: 10,000–50,000 hectares
3. Milli Watershed: 1,000–10,000 hectares
4. Micro Watershed: 100–1,000 hectares
5. Mini Watershed: 1–10 hectares

Objectives of Watershed Management

Watershed management seeks to achieve multiple objectives aimed at improving the living standards of people in a watershed area and ensuring the sustainability of resources. The following are the key objectives of watershed management:

1. Recognition of Watersheds for Development: Watersheds are recognized as units for efficient land use, which helps in addressing agricultural and environmental challenges.
2. Flood Control: Small multipurpose reservoirs and other water storage structures at the headwaters of streams are developed to mitigate flood risks.
3. Water Supply: Ensure adequate water supply for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes.
4. Pollution Control: Reduces organic, inorganic, and soil pollution by managing the land, water, and vegetation.
5. Efficient Use of Resources: Optimize the use of soil and water resources to improve agricultural productivity and socioeconomic conditions.
6. Recreational Development: Expand recreational facilities such as picnic areas and camping sites for local communities and visitors.

Symbolic Expression of Watershed Objectives – POWER

The acronym POWER symbolizes the following objectives of watershed management:

• P: Production of food, fodder, fuel, fruit, fiber, fish, and milk on a sustained basis. Pollution control and prevention of floods.
• O: Minimize over-exploitation of resources, such as excessive grazing. Ensure operational practicability and accessibility for on-farm operations.
• W: Water storage at convenient locations for different purposes. Wild animal and indigenous plant life conservation.
• E: Erosion control and ecosystem safety. Economic stability and employment generation.
• R: Recharge groundwater levels. Reduce drought hazards and siltation in reservoirs. Provide opportunities for recreation.