Watershed Management Overview

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Questions and Answers

What are some of the major factors that affect water and pollutant distribution according to the content?

Factors include soil erosion, lowering of the water table, pollution from municipal and industrial waste, loss of natural environments, and extreme weather events such as floods and droughts.

How have watershed management programs impacted environmental and socio-economic conditions?

The impacts vary widely, resulting in both failures with negative consequences and significant benefits for sustainability.

Why is an interdisciplinary approach necessary for sustainable watershed management?

An interdisciplinary approach ensures that both land and water resources are managed together, addressing ecological, social, and economic aspects.

What historical reference to watershed management is mentioned in the content, and what does it signify?

The Shanti Mantra from the Yajur Veda references peace on earth, water, and vegetation, signifying an ancient acknowledgment of the importance of watershed management. Signup and view all the answers

What positive development regarding watershed management is noted in the text, particularly in the United States?

The emergence of citizen-based watershed organizations is identified as a positive development in watershed management. Signup and view all the answers

What are some conflicts that can arise among government ministries in watershed management programs?

Conflicts may arise among ministries related to agriculture, rural development, and forests, particularly concerning fund control and priorities like food production and biodiversity. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult to conduct impact assessments on watershed management programs?

It is difficult due to the lack of baseline data for monitoring and comparing current conditions. Signup and view all the answers

How does the lack of facilities for water harvesting affect tribal populations?

The lack of water harvesting facilities leads to reduced food, crop, and fodder production, resulting in socio-political unrest and sustained misery. Signup and view all the answers

What best management practices (BMPs) can be adopted to improve watershed management?

BMPs include organic farming, de-silting reservoirs, using sprinkler or drip irrigation, and implementing afforestation policies. Signup and view all the answers

What are the consequences of groundwater over-extraction in watershed management?

Groundwater over-extraction can negate the benefits of groundwater recharge, leading to unsustainable water use. Signup and view all the answers

What role do environmental considerations play in watershed management?

Environmental considerations are crucial as they ensure food production does not undermine the land, water, forests, and biodiversity. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge in estimating water supply scenarios for watershed management?

A significant challenge is the inability to accurately estimate water supply under varying conditions like drought, normal, or surplus years. Signup and view all the answers

What does efficiency in land use mean to an individual land user?

It means achieving the greatest return on capital and labour invested or the greatest benefit from the land area available. Signup and view all the answers

How do government objectives regarding land use differ from individual land users?

Government objectives are more complex and include improving foreign exchange by producing for export or for import substitution. Signup and view all the answers

What are some key aspects that land use must ensure to be socially acceptable?

Land use must ensure food security, employment, and income security in rural areas. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of implementing a threshold standard of living for target groups in land use planning?

To raise the living standards including levels of income, nutrition, food security, and housing. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the soil conservation programme in Ethiopia have after the drought of 1973-74?

It substantially impacted soil erosion but did not significantly increase agricultural production. Signup and view all the answers

Why was large-scale afforestation unpopular with local people in Ethiopia?

It reduced the area available for livestock grazing and limited access to fuel wood collection. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of balance is necessary in land use planning to maintain popular support for soil conservation?

A balance between competing requirements of conservation and agricultural production is necessary. Signup and view all the answers

Define sustainable land use based on the provided text.

Sustainable land use meets the needs of the present while conserving resources for future generations. Signup and view all the answers

What land-use strategy was found more acceptable to local people in Ethiopia compared to large-scale afforestation?

A land-use plan that involved restoring good vegetative cover through closure, followed by controlled grazing. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of watershed management in relation to rural migration?

To create opportunities in agriculture and reduce the factors driving migration to urban areas. Signup and view all the answers

How does land capability influence land use planning?

Land capability determines the suitable types of land use, such as agriculture or habitation, based on land characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

Define 'land capability' as described in the content.

Land capability is the ability of the land surface to support natural or artificial growth for plants and habitats. Signup and view all the answers

What ultimate goal is associated with the allocation of various land capabilities?

The ultimate goal is to achieve complete soil conservation for sustainable land management. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of the Soil Conservation Service's work on land capability classification.

It provides a framework for classifying land capabilities to enhance land use planning and conservation. Signup and view all the answers

What are some land uses that can be determined by land capability?

Human habitation, agriculture, pastures, forests, and wildlife habitat. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to utilize land that is not conducive to agriculture for other purposes?

To ensure the continuity and productivity of the land area by employing suitable land uses. Signup and view all the answers

What factors influence land characteristics in the context of land capability?

Slope, soil type, soil depth, and erosion conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What does integrated watershed management aim to achieve?

It aims for total water and vegetation conservation alongside soil conservation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Watershed Planning and Management

Watershed management is the study of relevant characteristics to create a sustainable plan for the distribution of resources.
The main objectives for watershed management are to control damaging runoff, manage runoff for useful purposes, protect/conserve/improve the land, protect/enhance water resources, check soil erosion, rehabilitate deteriorating land, increase infiltration, improve/increase the production of raw materials and increase groundwater recharge.
Land degradation is a major problem, especially in areas with poor economic conditions.
Watersheds are classified based on area (macro, sub, milli, mini, micro)
Watersheds contain many natural and artificial elements, such as plants, soil, rock layers, and human-made structures.
Vegetation can help conserve resources.
A healthy watershed contains much vegetation, limited soil erosion and plenty of groundwater/surface water.
Watershed management involves balance between conservation and utilization of resources
India has a high population and uneven rainfall distribution, resulting in water stress.
Numerous BMPs (best management practices) are employed in India for water and land resource management.
These BMPs include banning tree cutting, cleaning up rivers, and adopting a ridge to valley approach to watershed management.
Global perspectives on watershed management share similarities but have spatial and temporal variations.
Desirable environmental and socio-economic consequences result from watershed management programs.
There is a need for interdisciplinary approach for sustainable management of land and water resources.
Efforts are needed to develop regional training and networking programs in watershed management.
Watershed management has shown varied results, ranging from undesirable effects to significant benefits.

Problems and Constraints in Watershed Management

Soil erosion from runoff is a significant issue, especially in rain-fed areas.
Uneven benefit sharing among farming communities within a watershed is a problem.
Some watershed management may negatively impact downstream areas, leading to flooding/water scarcity.
Common lands are not adequately managed, impacting domestic/ecosystem water needs.
Poor understanding of the interactions between biophysical and socio-economic processes impacts watershed management.
Conflicts exist among government departments (e.g., agriculture, rural development, forests) in roles and fund control.
Tribal populations in areas with poor forest yields, degraded land quality and population pressure experience socio-political unrest and hardship from watershed development.
Lack of baseline data for impact assessment of watershed programs.
Inadequacy of facilities for water harvesting and stabilization of food/crop/fodder production for tribal populations in many areas.

New Prospects and Opportunities in Watershed Management

There is a need to maintain the environment
Best management practices (BMPs) can improve crop production without harming the environment.
Restoring reservoir capacity, organic farming, sprinkler/drip irrigation to reduce water usage.
Ensuring that groundwater recharge efforts do not cause overuse.
Considering downstream consequences of upstream water conservation efforts.
Implementing low-cost technologies and utilizing local materials and labor to achieve greater benefits.
Increasing public participation in all stages of watershed management.
Implementing watershed management programs in different regions and scaling up those successful programs.
There exists a need for research and development centers dedicated to watershed management.
Conservation of CPRs (common pool resources) like land, water, fodder, forest and wildlife which are crucial for rural livelihoods and well-being.

Watershed Based Land Use Planning

There is an interdependency between watershed and land use.
Land use planning should balance human needs with resource conservation.
Watershed issues like deforestation, urbanisation, drainage of wetlands can alter hydrologic conditions.
Changes in land-use can impact water quality, quantity and availability.
Watershed management programs should consider wider impacts (spatial and temporal) that may result from cumulative effects of activities on a watershed.
Land-use planning should systematically assess land and water resources, potential land-use options, and economic/social considerations to choose the most suitable land-use options and safeguard resources for the future.

Watershed Management: Indian and Global Perspectives

India has the world's second highest population and an uneven rainfall distribution.
India has 14 major river basins, numerous medium-sized and hundreds of smaller basins.
India has significant spatial and temporal variations in water distribution.

Timeline of Watershed Management Programmes in India

The concept of watershed management has ancient roots in India.
Soil Conservation Research and Training Centres (SCRDTCs) were established in the 1950s.
watershed technologies were demonstrated in various regions of India.
Nationwide watershed development programs were launched in 1973 - 1974, and 1977 - 1978.
Other major programs, like the Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) and Desert Development Programme (DDP) were implemented.
Since the 1990s, a number of programs have been funded by international agencies (World Bank, EEC, DANIDA).
The National Watershed Development Programme for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA) was implemented in 1991.

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Description

This quiz delves into key factors influencing water and pollutant distribution, the impact of watershed management programs, and the necessity for an interdisciplinary approach. Additionally, it explores historical references, socio-economic conditions, and the consequences of groundwater over-extraction, among others.