MANAGEMENT OF RAVINE WATERSHED ( EVALUATION, RESULTS AND DIRECTIONS) - SHEETALPUR ( HAMIRPUR)- BUNDELKHAND REGION.

Abstract

No A WATERSHED (571 HA) COMPRISING THE VILLAGES OF SHEETALPUR AND KUSMERA IN HAMIRPUR DISTRICT OF UTTAR PRADESH WAS SELECTED IN 1984-85 TO DEMONSTRATE USEFULNESS OF WATERSHED APPROACH IN THE MANAGEMENT OF EROSION PROBLEM AND DRYLAND AGRICULTURE IN BUNDELKHAND REGION. THE BULLETIN DEALS WITH THE DEVELOPMENT WORK CARRIED OUT IN THE WATERSHED. THE ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE BEEN ELABORATED WITH THE SUPPORT OF DATA. THE CONCLUSIONS DRAWN ARE: (I) THE IMPACT ON CROP RESPONSE DUE TO CONSERVATION MEASURES ESTABLISHED THAT EVEN PARTIAL TREATMENT OF UPPER PORTION OF RAVINE WATERSHED INDUCES DESIRED BENEFITS AND FOOD SECURITY , IT THUS FACILITATES ACCEPTANCE OF OTHER MEASURES LIKE AGROFORESTRY., WATER HARVESTING ETC RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES IN THE PROJECT AREA (II) GULLY PLUGGING IS NOT A RECLAMATIVE MEASURE FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION BUT IS A CONTROL MEASURE. IT DETAINS SEDIMENT , CONTROLS RUNOFF, RECHARGES GROUND WATER PREVENTS EXTENSIONS OF RAVINE. AS SUCH, IT IS USEFUL IN DEEP GULLY SECTOR OF THE WATERSHED AND (III) IN ORDER TO HARNESS FULL BENEFITS FROM DEVELOPMENT OF WATERSHED INVOLVING RAVINE RECLAMATION, WATER RESOURCE SHOULD GET EQUAL IMPORTANCE.