Watershed development in India. 1. Biophysical and societal impacts |
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Authors: | Ian Calder Ashvin Gosain M S Rama Mohan Rao Charles Batchelor M Snehalatha Emma Bishop |
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Institution: | (1) CLUWRR, University of Newcastle, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK;(2) Civil Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India;(3) JSYS, Bangalore, India;(4) Social development consultant, Hyderabad, India |
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Abstract: | This paper recommends a revision of watershed development policy in India in relation to the planning of development interventions
involving agricultural intensification and rainwater harvesting following biophysical and societal impact studies carried
out on two watershed development projects in Karnataka. A need for changes in policy has arisen in response to progressive
catchments closure at the basin level and declining volumes of water flowing into village level reservoirs (known locally
as tanks). Flow reductions have occurred largely as a result of increased agricultural intensification over the past 10–15 years.
Field levelling, field bund construction, soil water conservation measures, farm ponds, the increase in areas under horticulture
and forestry and the increased abstraction and use of groundwater for irrigation are all contributing factors to reduced flows.
Planning methodologies and approaches, which may have been appropriate 20 years ago for planning water harvesting within watershed
development projects, are no longer appropriate today. New planning approaches are required which (1) take account of these
changed flow conditions and (2) are also able to take account of externalities, which occur when actions of some affect the
livelihoods of others who have no control or influence over such activities and which (3) contribute to the maintenance of
agreed minimum downstream flows for environmental and other purposes.
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Keywords: | Externalities India Poverty Rainwater harvesting Soil conservation Watershed |
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