Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management

(PGDEM)

Paper - I
Unit - 2: Watershed development and
management

EPCO INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

EPCO Paryavaran Parisar, E-5 Arera Colony, Bhopal 462016 (M.P.)
Tel. 2466970, 2464318, 2466859 Fax: (0755)-2462136
Website www.epco.in email: [email protected] , [email protected]
 14.3. Watershed development and management

Definition of Watershed

Watershed is an area bounded by water divide. It is also defined as land area whose water drains
from a common point. It is synonymous with catchment and drainage basin. Its size is highly
variable and can be from few micro square mm to hundreds of sq km. Its shape generally
resembles with a beetle leaf but all possible variation exists in its shape.

GOI defines watershed as Natural hydrologic entities that cover specific areal expanse of land
surface from which the rainfall runoff flows to a definite drain, channel, stream or river at a
particular point. Watershed Atlas on 1:1 million scale was published by Ministry of Agriculture
in 1990. According to it the country has been divided in six Water Resource Regions. Their code
and names are as given below -

Region 1 Indus Drainage

Region 2 Ganges Drainage
Region 3 Brahmaputra Region
Region 4 Flowing into Bay of Bengal
Region 5 Flowing into Arabian Sea
Region 6 Ephemeral drainage

This atlas has further sub-divides regions into subsequent smaller hydrologic units. The names
and number of smaller units is as given below -

Region Basin Catchments Sub-catchments Watersheds Area in lakh hect

1 7 12 51 302 308.22
2 4 22 126 836 820.15
3 4 14 55 330 + 291.33
4 8 34 175 1150 1130.48
5 8 26 78 513 429.51
6 4 4+ 15 + 106 + 273.41
06 35 112 + 500 + 3237 + 3253.10

(+ A few more are likely to be added to the unit)

Watershed development
Net cultivated area in India is 142.00 million hectares. Out of which net rain fed area is 85
million hectares. Insight into the rain fed areas present a grim picture of poverty, water scarcity,
rapid depletion of ground water table and fragile ecosystem. Land degradation due to soil erosion
by wind and water, low rain water use efficiency high population pressure, acute fodder
shortage, poor livestock productivity, under investment in water in water use efficiency, lack of
assured and remunerative marketing opportunities and poor infrastructure are important concerns
of enabling policies.

Why Watershed Development Program

Watershed Development addresses above concerns by making improvement in the physical

conditions of the watershed area i.e. hydrologic unit. This is achieved by physical interventions
which improve the natural resource base to the optimum level. Watershed program is primarily
for Rain fed areas and to improve the economy of farming community.

History

In the past, the physical interventions were limited to soil and water conservation and were solely
implemented by technical people.

Strategy, Current Approach and Program

Since 1995, GOI has changed the strategy and is now undertaking entire planning and
implementation process by village community. The works are undertaken from Ridge to Valley
i.e. works are started from ridge line (highest point) and gradually undertaken towards the lower
areas and the responsibility of R and M is with the community.

In brief, the watershed development means improving the natural resource base by undertaking
different physical works. The aim and objective of implementing watershed program is to tape
the untapped productivity and income potential of the area. The current challenge is to achieve
inclusive growth.

Improvement in natural resource base will mean -

· Retarding soil erosion,

· Improvement in soil health,
· Improving (optimizing) water and moisture availability for optimum crop productivity,
secondary livelihood support activities and fodder development in the uncultivated areas.

In addition to Natural Resource Base improvement, we need to supplement watershed initiative

with optimum investment in water use efficiency measures, assured and remunerative marketing
opportunities with adequate infrastructure and support of enabling policies.

Government of India has issued Common Guidelines for Implementation of Watershed

Development Projects in 2008.

The Watershed program 2008 is -

· Equity based and Gender Sensitive

· Decentralized
· Supported by Facilitating Agencies for capacity building and technical input
· Implemented by participation of community or primary stakeholders
· Provided with participatory, outcome and impact oriented and user focused monitoring,
evaluation and learning system and
· Appropriate technical and professional support system at national, state, district and
project level

Program Duration -

Phase Name Duration

One Preparatory phase one to two years
Two Watershed works phase Two to three years
Three Consolidation and withdrawal phase One to two years

Project Activities during different phases -

Preparatory phase - The major objective of this phase is to build appropriate mechanisms for
adoption of participatory approach and empowerment of local institutions i.e. Watershed
Committee (WC), Self Help Groups (SHGs) and User groups (UGs) with the help of Project
Implementation Agency (PIA) under the overall supervision of Watershed Development Team
(WDT). Entry Point Activities, Base line survey, Preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR)
and its approval at Gram Sabha (GS) and Zila Panchayat (ZP).

Watershed works phase - In this phase DPR is implemented. Some important activities are
given below.

Ridge line treatment, Drainage line treatment, Water harvesting structures, Nursery, Land
development, Crop demonstration, Pasture development, Livestock development, Fisheries
development and Promotion of non-conventional energy saving devices.

Consolidation and withdrawal phase - In this phase the resource augmented and economic
plan developed in phase two are made the foundation to create new nature based, sustainable
livelihoods and raise productivity levels.

Watershed management

Watershed management is the most challenging key function which desires sustenance of the
attained level of natural resource base where as watershed programs aims sustenance of
sustainable livelihoods and raise productivity levels utilizing management skills with the active
support of community and other stake holders.
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 14.4. River valley projects

History of water resource development before independence

Water storage tanks were constructed in 10th century by Prmars at Bhojpur and Bhopal. Six
hundred big and more than seven thousand small tanks were also constructed by Chandela and
Bundela kings in Bundelkhand region between 10th to 16th centuries. The area covered under
these tanks was nearly 57000 hectares. Similar efforts of tank construction were made by Gonds
in Jabalpur and neighboring area.

Britishers constructed Tendula tank in Durg district and its canal system was completed on 26th
March 1921. At the same time, Wainganga canal system in Balaghat district was also started and
was completed in June 1927. In the year 1927, Pagara in Gwalior and Mahanadi canal system in
Raipur were commissioned. Irrigation tanks, namely Kharung and Manuyari in Bilaspur district,
Bori in Balaghat district and Bohriband in Jabalpur district were constructed in1931 and 1927
respectively. During 1929-34, in the erstwhile Gwalior state, Sank-Asan project, Kaketo dam,
Aoda dam Harsi dam and Tighra dam were also constructed. These projects created irrigation
potential of 1.70 lakh acres in the state.

After independence, irrigation projects or river valley projects have been conceived and
undertaken in different river basins in different plan periods in Madhya Pradesh (MP).

Water availability in MP

The details of basins, sub-basins along with respective drainage area in MP, water availability on
75 % dependability and share of the state (MP) in water utilization in respective basins are
summarized in the table given below-

Name of the basin Drainage area in Water availability Water share of

MP (Sq km) (hm3) MP (hm3)
1. Ganga Basin
a. Yamuna Sub-basin 1,42,250 27,627 23,642
b. Son Sub-basin 28,880 7,870 * 3,970*
c. Tons Sub-basin 11,924 2,244 2,244
2. Narmda Basin 85,149 34,542 22,511
3. Godavari Basin
a. Wainganga Sub-basin 23,388 5,083* 2,700*
4. Tapi Basin 9,800 2,401 1,646
5. Mahi Basin 6,700 1,9952 338
6. Mahanadi Bain 154 Not yet defined Negligible
Total 3,08245 81,719 57,051

* Tentative on account of division of erstwhile MP into: MP and CG states on 1st Nov 2000
The perusal of above table indicates that state of MP even after separation of CG is not short of
water. The estimated annual runoff from all the basins is 81,719 hm3 in the state. Estimates show
that nearly 49,743 hm3 can be harnessed for irrigation purpose. By utilizing 49,743 hm3 water,
it is possible to irrigate nearly 60.90 lakh hectares land. By utilizing available ground water,
nearly 52 lakh ha area can be irrigated. Thus the total or ultimate irrigation potential of the state
is nearly 112.90 lakh hectares which when fully utilized can irrigate nearly 75% of the present
sown area (150 lakh ha) agriculture area in the state.

Irrigation Projects in MP

In MP, a total of 3900 irrigation projects were taken up for construction in different plan periods
(including pre plan period), out of which over 3362 projects have been completed. The details
are summarized in the table given below-

Project category Started Completed Spill over to X plan

Major 30* 13 17
Medium 119** 112 7
Minor 3746 3236 510
ERM 5 1 4
Total 3900 3362 538

* Including four interstate projects. ** Including three interstate projects.

Major irrigation project - Command area more than 10,000 hectares.
Medium irrigation project - Command area between 2001 to 10,000 hectares.
Minor irrigation project - Less than 2000 hectares.
ERM - External Rehabilitation Management

Plan wise Irrigation Potential and utilization in MP

Five year plan Cumulative Potential Actual Irrigation Fund Allocation

Created (lakh hect) (Lakh ha) (Rs in Crores)
Pre plan period 4,69 3.54
I Five Year Plan (1951-56) 4.84 3.63 12.0
II Five Year Plan (1956-61) 5.52 4.13 36.0
III Five Year Plan (1961-66) 8.65 5.07 50.0
Annual Year Plan (1966-69) 11.51 7.44 31.0
IV Five Year Plan(1969-74) 12.35 8.63 109.0
V Five Year Plan(1974-78) 17.7 12.22 352.0
Annual Plan(1978-80) 19.14 12.07 118.0
VI Five Year Plan(1980-85) 24.52 15.27 984.0
VII Five Year Plan (1985-90) 28.11 18.22 1563.0
Annual Plan(1990-92) 29.11 19.53 756.0
VIII Five Year Plan(1992-97) 33.04 20.97 1858.0
IX Five Year Plan(1997-02) 20.88* 7.36* 2550.0*
* The figures given are for new MP. Remaining figures are for undivided MP i.e. including CG
 Project Category wise Irrigation Potential in MP

Project Category Potential of Potential of Project Total Irrigation

Completed Project under construction Potential Developed
Major 7.63 2.29 9.92
Medium and ERM 3.76 0.16 3.92
Minor 6.65 0/39 7.04
Total 18.04 2.84 20.88
* There is a gap of 13.52 lakh ha between potential created (20.88 lakh ha) and actual
irrigation achieved (7.36 lakh ha).

Status of Major and Medium Projects in MP

Major Projects Medium Projects

Completed Major Projects Interstate Projects going
Major under completed on/pipeline
projects construction projects

Bhander Canal Sindh-1 project Bagh Right Upper Beda

Bank Canal
Chambal Sindh-I1 project Kalisarar Uri Bagh
Project
Harsi dam Rajghat canal Jamni Right Bah
Bank Canal
Waiganga Bansagar dam Mahur
canal
Rangwana Bangsagr canal Kunwari lift sagar
HLC
Tawa project Baryarpur LBC Kusalpura
Barna project Bargi LBC Machak
distributory
Sukta project Bargi diversion Karkekimatu
irrigation scheme
projectRajghat project Kolar
Halali project Indira sagar
Upper Wainganga project Onkareswar
Thanwar project Mahan
Urmil project Jobat
Man
Pench diversion
Mahi
Bawanthadi
 AIBP Assistance for WRD Projects

GOI in 1996-97 launched an accelerated Irrigation Benefits Program (AIBP) to provide central
assistance (loan) to major and medium irrigation projects. The objective was to accelerate the
implementation of those projects which are beyond the resource capability of the state and are in
advance stage of completion. The AIBP program is implemented under the overall charge of the
MOWR, GOI. Central Water Commission (CWC) has been assigned the responsibility of
comprehensive monitoring receiving Central Loan Assistance (CLA).

Name of Year wise CLA in crores

the project
96-97 97-98 98-99 99-2000 2000-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 Total
Indira sagar 37.50 51.00 37.50 40.00 80.00 22.60 137.10 127.06 532.76
Bansagar- I 23.25 54.00 20.00 38.00 25.00 43.34 39.836 56.00 299.426
Upper 2.50 5.00 10.00 9.83 14.00 2.20 6.576 nil 50.106
Wanganga
Rajghat-1 11.50 4.375 11.925 0.00 0.80 1.60 30.20
Sindh -II 2.25 2.12 7.73 46.66 81.98 93.90 234.64
Sindh-I 3.50 0.00 4.376 6.00 13.876
Mahi 2.17 1.855 24.076 22.23 50.331
Banjar 1.00 0.00 0.604 nil 1.604
Urmil RBC 1.00 0.335 1.056 nil 2.391
Bariyarpur 5.00 0.00 13.606 23.11 41.116
Bargi 98.00 65.00 nil 163.00
Diversion
Bansagar II 40.64 40.64
Mahan 5.40 5.40
Babanthadi 18.33 18.33
Onkareswar 20.16 20.16
Total 63.25 110.00 81.25 94.325 151.325 214.99 374.41 444.43 1503.98

External Assistance for WRD Projects

· Japan Bank for international co-operation has granted loan for Rs 421.08 Crore.
· India Canada Environment Improvement Project - Under this assistance Six projects (Birsagar in
Tikamgarh district, Gora Talab in Chhatarpur district, Koncha Talab in Guna district, Chappi
Talab in Rajgarh district, Satak in Khargone district, Samrat Ashok Sagar (halali) in Vidisha
district have been included for renovation. Rs 17.66 Crore have been sanctioned. The aim is to
demonstrate community based management and restoration of irrigation system. In this project,
GOMP has affiliated four NGOs to support the implementation of the project and to further
strengthen the Water Users Associations and the departmental team.
· World Bank (WB) has supported the MP Water Sector Restructuring Project (MPWSRP). This
support is for holistic development, with an integrated vision for water sector development and
management and user participation in planning and management to achieve a demand driven
process.
 NABARD Assistance for WRD Projects

A number of irrigation projects have been posed for loan. The summary is given below-

· Total projects under NABARD assistance till March 2004 - 539 (5 of NVDA)
· Total loan sanctioned Rs 1500.00 Crore
· Total Irrigation to be developed through NABARD loan 3.00 lakh ha
· Total projects completed till March 2004 311
· Irrigation potential created 1.50 lakh ha

Water Resources Development Proposals during X plan for Water Resources Projects

For X Five Year Plan, an outlay for Rs 3,338.81 Crore was proposed to create potential of 3.00
lakh hectares. The details are as given below-

· Major Projects : 2.00 lakh ha

· Medium Projects : 0.15 lakh ha
· Minor Projects : 1.25 lakh ha
Total : 3.40 lakh ha

Narmda Valley Development Authority (NVDA)

NVDA was formed in 1985 for constructing major projects in Narmda Basin. As per X Plan
document, a provision of Rs 1456.22 Crore was made to complete Man, Jobat, Upper Beda,
Bargi left bank canal and partially complete Indira Sagar, Onkareswar, Bargi, diversion and
Lower Goi project. Total irrigation potential to be developed from above projects during X th
plan is 1.42 lakh ha.

Concerns of the projects

Major concerns are-

· Under utilization of potential.
· Silting of the reservoirs - reduction in the useful life span.
· Water logging and salinity
· Land acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement issues
· Concerns of climate change
 14.5. Participatory Irrigation Management and irrigation transfer

Irrigation water is required by the crop at different stages of its growth to meet the water /
moisture stress at the root zone. The main objective of irrigation water delivery is to optimize the
utilization of available water in a systematic manner for ensuring optimum yield. Poor
management denies optimum yield and affects the economics of the project. It is therefore said
that project authorities should deliver required water quantity to the crop at correct time to ensure
healthy development and for getting maximum yield.

In developed countries (USA, Mexico), irrigation water management is achieved through top
down approach mainly because of large holdings and administrative cost. In developing
countries (India, Japan, Indonesia and Philippines) the thrust is now on Participatory Irrigation
Management i.e. Bottom up approach where the land holding is small and water distribution
suffers mainly from management problems.

Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) program is recognized as an important process and

tool for improving efficiency, equity and sustainability of irrigation system. Proper adoption and
its functioning improves utilization of irrigation waters, ensures better maintenance of the
system, reduces water distribution inequity and improves the overall economics of the benefitted
area through enhanced agricultural production.

Recognizing this and utilizing provisions of National Water Policy 1987, Government of MP
enacted The Madhya Pradesh Sinchai Prabandha Me Krishkon Ki Bhagidari Adhiniyam 1999
(Act No 23 of 1999). This act stipulates the formation of Water User Associations at three tiers
and defines their roles and responsibilities in the discharge of different functions related to
participatory irrigation water management (PIM) of major, medium and minor irrigation
projects. The main objective of the farmer's organization shall be to promote and secure -

· Water distribution amongst users

· Adequate maintenance of irrigation system
· Efficient and economical utilization of irrigation water to optimize agricultural
production
· Protect environment and ensure ecological balance through farmer's involvement
· Inculcating sense of ownership of the irrigation system keeping in mind the water budget
and the operational plan.

The PIM changes the traditional service provider (WRD) and service receiver's (Cultivators)
relationship in to a partnership based mode. The main challenges of PIM are -

· Motivation of farmers to undertake the responsibility for management of irrigation waters

which serves their fields.
· Motivating the Management Committee of the Farmers Organization to undertake their
functions, roles, responsibilities and rights.
· Sensitizing government servants to enable them to discharge their facilitating
responsibilities and function in a partnership mode with the Farmers Organizations.
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