Executive Summary:
Drought-prone areas face severe water scarcity due to erratic rainfall, over-extraction of groundwater, and degraded watersheds. This affects agriculture, livelihoods, and ecological balance. Sustainable watershed management (SWM) integrates soil and water conservation, reforestation, rainwater harvesting, and community participation to enhance water security and resilience.
This project aims to implement sustainable watershed management practices in targeted drought-prone areas. Activities will include watershed restoration, construction of check dams and contour trenches, afforestation, soil conservation measures, and community capacity building.
The project seeks to ensure water security for agriculture and domestic use, improve soil fertility, enhance groundwater recharge, and strengthen community resilience against drought. Over two years, the project will benefit local communities, farmers, and ecosystems while promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Background and Problem Statement:
Background:
Watersheds are vital for maintaining water balance, soil fertility, and biodiversity. Degradation of watersheds due to deforestation, overgrazing, and unplanned land use reduces water availability, increases soil erosion, and negatively impacts agriculture. Sustainable watershed management combines ecological restoration with community engagement to address water scarcity and enhance ecosystem services.
Problem Statement:
Communities in drought-prone areas face:
- Severe water scarcity affecting agriculture and domestic needs.
- Degraded soil and reduced groundwater recharge due to watershed degradation.
- Low awareness and capacity for implementing sustainable watershed practices.
- Increased vulnerability to climate variability and recurrent droughts.
Without intervention, these challenges threaten livelihoods, food security, and environmental sustainability.
Goal and Objectives:
General Goal:
To enhance water security and ecosystem resilience in drought-prone areas through sustainable watershed management practices.
Specific Objectives:
- Restore degraded watersheds through afforestation and soil conservation.
- Increase groundwater recharge and surface water availability via check dams, contour trenches, and rainwater harvesting structures.
- Promote sustainable agricultural practices integrated with watershed management.
- Build community capacity and awareness on watershed protection and management.
- Monitor ecological and socio-economic impacts of watershed interventions.
Target Population:
Total Beneficiaries: ~2,000 individuals across 5 villages
- Farmers (1,200): Benefit from improved water availability for irrigation.
- Women & Youth Groups (400): Participate in afforestation, soil conservation, and training activities.
- Local Community (400): Access improved domestic water supply and awareness programs.
Key Activities:
- Watershed Restoration:
- Plant native trees, grasses, and shrubs on degraded lands.
- Promote agroforestry and community forests for long-term sustainability.
- Water Conservation Structures:
- Construct check dams, contour trenches, percolation ponds, and gabion structures.
- Implement rainwater harvesting at household and community levels.
- Soil and Agricultural Management:
- Introduce contour farming, mulching, and organic manure application to improve soil health.
- Promote crop diversification and drought-resilient crop varieties.
- Community Capacity Building:
- Conduct training on watershed management, water conservation, and maintenance of structures.
- Establish watershed committees for participatory management and monitoring.
- Awareness Campaigns:
- Conduct workshops, village meetings, and school programs to educate on water conservation and sustainable land management.
- Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Track water availability, groundwater recharge, crop productivity, and community engagement.
Implementation Strategy:
- Community-Led Approach: Local communities participate in planning, implementation, and maintenance of watershed structures.
- Technical Support: Experts in hydrology, soil science, and forestry guide design, planting, and monitoring.
- Phased Implementation:
- Months 1–3: Baseline survey, community mobilization, and training.
- Months 4–12: Construction of water conservation structures and afforestation.
- Months 13–24: Continued maintenance, agricultural interventions, awareness campaigns, and monitoring.
- Partnerships: Collaborate with government agencies, NGOs, and local institutions for technical support and funding.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Monitoring Indicators:
- Number and area of watershed restoration activities completed.
- Volume of water stored and groundwater recharge observed.
- Number of farmers adopting sustainable practices.
- Community participation and maintenance of structures.
- Evaluation Methods:
- Mid-term evaluation at 12 months assessing restoration progress and water availability.
- Final evaluation at 24 months measuring impact on water security, crop yield, and ecosystem health.
- Surveys, field inspections, and community feedback sessions.
Budget Estimate :
| Item | Details | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Watershed Restoration | Afforestation, planting, native species, saplings | XXXXXX |
| Water Conservation Structures | Check dams, contour trenches, percolation ponds | XXXXXX |
| Soil & Agricultural Interventions | Organic manure, mulching, drought-resistant seeds | XXXXXX |
| Training & Capacity Building | Workshops, field training, community committees | XXXXXX |
| Awareness Campaigns | Posters, village meetings, school programs | XXXXX |
| Monitoring & Evaluation | Surveys, reports, field inspections | XXXXXX |
| Total | XXXXXXX |
Required Resources:
- Saplings, seeds, organic manure, and planting tools
- Construction materials for check dams and trenches
- Field staff and technical experts
- Training and awareness materials
- Transport for site visits and monitoring
Expected Outcomes:
- Improved water availability for agriculture and domestic use for ~2,000 individuals.
- Increased groundwater recharge and reduced soil erosion.
- Enhanced soil fertility and crop productivity.
- Community awareness and capacity to maintain watershed management practices.
- Strengthened resilience against drought and climate variability.
Conclusion:
The Sustainable Watershed Management project addresses water scarcity and environmental degradation in drought-prone areas. By integrating ecological restoration, water conservation structures, sustainable agriculture, and community engagement, the project ensures long-term water security, improved livelihoods, and ecosystem resilience. It establishes a replicable and sustainable model for drought mitigation and rural development.
