Science Based Watershed Planning and Implementation: Learning Experiences and Way Forward

Abstract

The views emerged from the stakeholders of the Project concludes that Karnataka Watershed Development Project-II (KWDP-II or Sujala-III) provided a plaorm for convergence of efforts from various Instutes, Organizaons, Departments and Agencies working for conservaon of natural resource by harnessing collecve synergies and breaking down funconal silos. Cost effecve mapping scale (1: 8000) and resoluon of 15 minutes rainfall interval used in the assessment of water balance components for accurate predicon of rate and quanty of runoff were greatly appreciated. LRI database integrated with hydrology informaon and it availability in digital form are found handy in future planning of all developmental projects. LRI trainings are found effecve in imbibing scienfic farming approaches in the farmers as it helps in effecve ulizaon of farm resources by providing land management informaon along with nutrient status of soil to the farmers and it remains valid for at least next 25-30 years. Updaon of LRI database using high resoluon spaal informaon, widening choice of crop selecon and generaon of atlases for sub-watersheds, correcon of shape files database for proper nomenclature of villages and hamlets, inclusion of DEM and aquifer monitoring informaon and maps into the atlas, use of high temporal resoluon infiltraon-study informaon in hydrology esmates of runoff, proper me frame for planning, training, implementaon and impact assessment of the watershed works and a call for effecve awareness and rapport building among the local beneficiaries were emanated as key points of way forward. Views expressed also long for real me informaon generaon and disseminaon, a structured decision support model involving all direct and indirect variables and processes for deriving hydrological planning and crop selecon, inclusion of untouched stakeholders and follow up schemes for absorbing human resource and infrastructure developed and intervenons implemented. Overall expressions yearn for development of an integrated database of LRI and hydrology for enre State and the Count