WATERSHED MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINED PRODUCTION IN ARAVALI HILLS OF NORTH GUJARAT

Abstract

NAVAMOTA WATERSHED (313 HA) IS LOCATED AT SABARKANTHA DISTRICT OF GUJARAT IN ARAVALI HILLS. CSWCRTI , RESEARCH CENTRE, VASAD PREPARED A COMPREHENSIVE ACTION PLAN WHICH WAS EXECUTED BY GUJARAT STATE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (GSLDC) , FOREST AND AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENTS FROM 1985 TO 1987 . MAJOR ACTIVITIES WERE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO MASONRY DAMS WITH GUAGING STATIONS , 4 EARTHEN DAMS, 37 GULLY PLUGS, 17 LOOSE BOULDER CHECK DAMS, CONTOUR BUNDING AND LEVELLING OF 197 HA AND AFFORESTATION AND SILVIPASTURE ON ALL GOVERNMENT OR COMMUNITY WASTELANDS. ALL THESE TREATMENTS REDUCED WATER LOSS BY RUNOFF FROM THE WATERSHED FROM 25% OF RAINFALL TO JUST 3.7% . NOW ALL RAIN WATER IS EITHER SOAKED IN SOIL OR HELD BEHIND THE STORAGE STRUCTURES. AS A RESULT , LEVEL IN OPEN WELLS HAS RISEN AND WATER AVAILABLE FOR 3 ADDITIONAL MONTHS. IRRIGATED AREA HAS INCREASED BY 44 TO 197 %. PRE- PROJECT CROPPING INTENSITY OF 111% NOW STANDS AT 130% (1994-1995). THE INVESTMENTS ALSO WORKED OUT TO BE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE ON LONG - TERM BASIS WITH A B:C RATIO OF 1.43. TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT CREATED , THE B:C RATIO ROSE TO 1.8.