Watershed Management

P Pr ro oj je ec ct tR Re ep po or rt to on n W Wa at te er rs sh he ed dM Ma an na ag ge em me en nt t

GICED
Garware Institute of Career Education & Development Santacruz, Mumbai - 400 098 Elective project 2012-13

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Acknowledgement...........3 Certificate Of Approval.......................................................................4 Executive Summery.....6 Introduction.......................7 Objectives of watershed management..11 Steps in watershed management..11 Aquifers and watersheds...13 Types of watershed management.14 Rainwater harvesting.14 Need of rainwater harvesting....15 Advantages of rainwater harvesting15 Components of rainwater harvesting..16 Rainwater recharging18 Components of watershed development programme22 Success stories.22 Conclusion.................27 Bibliography................................28

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This acknowledgement is not merely a catalogue of names but an expression of a deep sense of gratitude to all those who helped me in this project directly or indirectly. I owe a great deal to GICED for laying the building blocks of logic and pragmatism in my life. This report, in a way is a reflection of these values. The Summer Internship provided me with a unique opportunity of working with an organization. I am thankful to my faculty guide Prof. L. S. Bharambe Sir for their guidance, valuable suggestions and cooperation throughout the project. My special thanks go to all the my friends Last but not the least; I would also like to thank my family and friends for their continuous support.

Name of Student (P A Jadhav)

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CERTIFICATE This is to certify that Elective Project Report titled Watershed Management is a bonafide work carried out by for Partial fulfillment of Post Graduate Diploma in Agri-Business Management at Garware Institute of Career Education And Development of University of Mumbai. He has worked under my guidance and direction.

Signature

GICED, University of Mumbai

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DECLARATION I hereby declare that I have done my elective project work on Watershed Management Project submitted by me in partial fulfillment of Post Graduate Diploma in Agri - Business Management (PGDABM) from

Garware Institute of Career Education And Development, University of Mumbai, is exclusively prepared and conceptualized by me and is not submitted to any other institute or published anywhere before. All information maintained in the study is collected from the affiliated sources and are true to the best of my knowledge.

Date: Place: P A Jadhav

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Executive Summary

Project Brief
Watershed management can be said as a concept which recognizes the judicious management of three basic resources of soil water and vegetation, on watershed basis, for achieving particular objective for the well being of the people. It includes treatment of land most suitable biological as well as engineering measures. The watershed aims, ultimately, at improving standards of living of common people in the basin by increasing their earning capacity, by offering facilities such as electricity, drinking water, irrigation water, freedom from fears of floods, droughts etc. One of the important aspects of watershed development is increasing groundwater recharge. For effective watershed development it is important to look at the manner in which water flows below the ground in aquifers, which are layers of rock in which groundwater is stored and through which it moves to wells and springs.Understanding aquifers helps locate water conservation structures appropriately.

Rainwater harvesting and recharging has the following characteristics: Capturing runoff from rooftops Capturing runoff from local catchments Capturing seasonal floodwaters from local streams Conserving water through watershed management

Objectives of the study: To study watershed management concept. To analyze watershed management application, utilization. To study different watershed management related success stories.

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INTRODUCTION
A watershed can be defined as an independent hydrological unit based on the principle of proper management of all the precipitation by way of collection, storage and efficient utilization of run-off water and use of groundwater that discharge to and receive discharge from streams, wetlands, ponds and lakes. A watershed may vary from a few hectares to several thousands of hectares. Watershed is thus the land and water area, which contributes runoff to a common point. It comprises of a catchment area (recharge area), a command area (transition area) and delta area (discharge area). A watershed is, thus a logical unit for planning optimal development of its soil, water and biomass resources. Watershed could be described as fan shaped (near circular) or fen shaped (elongated). Hydro logically, the shape of the watershed important because it controls the time taken for the runoff to concentrate at the outlet. Watershed management can also be said as a concept which recognizes the judicious management of three basic resources of soil water and vegetation, on watershed basis, for achieving particular objective for the well being of the people. It includes treatment of land most suitable biological as well as engineering measures.

Water scenario

Fig: Hydrological Cycle

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Water is a precious natural resource vital, for sustaining all life on the earth. It is in a continuous circulatory movement between land, ocean and atmosphere - the hydrological cycle. It is not uniformly distributed in time and space. Due to its multiple benefits and the problems created by its excesses, shortages and quality deterioration, water as a resource requires special attention. Sustainable development demands that we should use our precious water resources efficiently and effectively. This will have to include forward planning and action, which can specifically address; both, the existing and emerging human and environment problems. On a global scale, total quantity of water available is about 1600 million cubic km. The hydrological cycle moves enormous quantities of water about the globe. However, much of the world's water has little potential for human use. The distribution of water on earth in percentage is estimated as below: Oceans Ice-Caps Ground water Fresh Water lakes Inland sea and salt lakes Atmosphere Rivers Total 97 02.0 0.62 0.009 0.008 0.001 0.0001 99.6%(aprox)

Hence, the fresh water resources of an area comprise mainly of:

Surface water resources (rivers, lakes, ponds, etc.). Groundwater resources.

In view of limited water availability one can appreciate the wisdom of ancient people in formulating codes and norms for protecting water bodies.
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LAND AND WATER RESOURCES OF INDIA PARTICULARS QUANTITY Geographical Area 329 million ha. Flood Prone Area Ultimate Irrigation Potential Total Cultivable Land Area Net Irrigated Area Natural Runoff (Surface Water and Ground Water) Estimated Utilizable Surface Water Potential Groundwater Resource Available Groundwater resource for Irrigation Net Utilizable Groundwater resource for irrigation 40 million ha. 140 million ha. 184 million ha. 50 million ha. 1869 Cubic km

690 Cubic km. 432 Cubic km. 361 Cubic km. 325 Cubic km.

Characteristics of watersheds
All characteristics affect the disposal of water. SIZE: It helps in computing parameters like precipitation received, retained, drained off. SHAPE: Different shapes based on morphological parameters like geology and structure, eg. pear, elongated etc. PHYSIOGRAPHY: Lands altitude and physical disposition. SLOPE: It controls the rainfall distribution and movement: CLIMATE: It decides the quantitative approach. DRAINAGE: It determines the flow characteristics and so the erosion behavior. VEGETATION: Information of species gives a sure ground for selection plants and crops.
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GEOLOGY AND SOILS: Their nature determines size, shape, physiographic, drainage and groundwater conditions. Soils, derivative of rocks are the basic to greenery HYDROLOGY: Basic to final goal of growing greenery in a watershed. It helps in quantification of water available. HYDROGEOLOGY: Availability of groundwater. SOCIOECONOMICS: Statistics on people and their health, hygiene, wants and wishes are important in managing water.

IMPORTANCE OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT: The term watershed management is nearly synonymous with soil and water conservation with the difference that emphasis is on flood protection and sediment control besides maximizing crop production. Watershed management is meeting the problems of land and water use, not in terms of any one resource but on the basis that all the resources are interdependent and must, therefore, be considered together. The watershed aims, ultimately, at improving standards of living of common people in the basin by increasing their earning capacity, by offering facilities such as electricity, drinking water, irrigation water, freedom from fears of floods, droughts etc. Recognition of watersheds as a unit for development and efficient use of land according their land capabilities for production, Flood control through small multipurpose reservoirs and other water storage structures at the head water of streams and in problem areas, Adequate water supply for domestic, agricultural and industrial needs. Abatement of organic, inorganic and soil pollution, Efficient use of natural resources for improving agriculture and allied occupation so as to improve socio-economic conditions of the local residents, and Expansion of recreation facilities such as picnic and camping sites.

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OBJECTIVES OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT: Conserving soil and water Improving the ability of land to hold water Rainwater harvesting and recharging Growing greenery trees, crops and grasses supply and securing of clean and sufficient drinking water for the population provision and securing of access to sanitation improvement and restoration of soil quality and thus, raising productivity rates reducing the impact of natural hazards (especially in the context of climate change) improvement of the income of the population with simultaneous regeneration of natural resources improvement of infrastructure for storage, transport and agricultural marketing improvement of physical health (supported by clean drinking water, access to sanitation, improved nourishment) advancement of (environmental) education and self-help improvement of an effective management of the financial resources available for environmental and international cooperation To bring about increased productivity. To make yields less subject to the effect of erratic rains. To improve resource conservation (soil & water) and land use. To create additional employment potential for the small / marginal farmers and agricultural labourers.

STEPS IN WATERSHED MANAGEMENT:

Watershed management involves determination of alternative land treatment measures for, which information about problems of land, soil, water and vegetation in the watershed is essential. In order to have a practical solution to above problem it is necessary to go through four phases for a full scale watershed management.

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Programme: 1. Recognition phase. 2. Restoration phase. 3. Protection phase. 4. Improvement phase. 1. Recognition Phase: It involves following steps 1. Recognition of the problem 2. Analysis of the cause of the problem and its effect. 3. Development of alternative solutions of problem. Necessary information is obtained from different surveys like soil survey, land capability survey, agronomic survey, forest, engineering and socio economic survey, etc. This information serves as a basis for fixing and determining the watershed problems, priorities in land treatment measures, and causes and effects of problems on land and people. 2. Restoration Phase: It includes two main steps. a. Selection of best solution to problems identified b. Application of the solution to the problems of the land As per the priorities, treatment applied initially to critical areas. After this proper measures like biological and engineering measures are applied to all types of lands. 3. Protection Phase: This phase takes care of the general health of the watershed and ensures normal functioning. The protection is against all factors which may cause determined in watershed condition.

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4. Improvement phase: This phase deals with overall improvement in the watershed and all land is covered. Attention is paid to agriculture and forest management and production, forage production and pasture management, socio economic conditions to achieve the objectives of watershed management. Health, family planning, improving cattle, poultry, etc. are taken depending upon intensity.

Classification of watershed according to size of the area

Hydrologic unit Region Basin Catchment Watershed Size (in ha) > 300 lakh 30-300 lakh 10-30 lakh 2-10 lakh 50,000-2, 00000 10,000-50,000 1,000-10,000 100-1000 1-100

Sub catchment Sub-watershed Mili-watershed Micro watershed Mini watershed -

AQUIFERS AND WATERSHEDS

Watershed development is primarily concerned with conservation and management of natural resources within a hydrological unit, called a watershed. One of the important aspects of watershed development is increasing groundwater recharge. For effective watershed development it is important to look at the manner in which water flows below the ground in aquifers, which are layers of rock in which groundwater is stored and through which it moves to wells and springs. Understanding aquifers helps locate water conservation structures appropriately. For example, if a small dam is built on an area of impermeable rock, groundwater recharge is limited.

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Also aquifers and watersheds may not correspond: an aquifer may be larger or smaller than the watershed above it. If the aquifer is larger, then groundwater recharge in an upstream village might also benefit a downstream village or even a village in an adjacent watershed, if the aquifer extends in that direction.

Types of watershed management:1) Rain Water Harvesting 2) Rain Water Recharging

Rainwater harvesting and recharging Capturing runoff from rooftops Capturing runoff from local catchments Capturing seasonal floodwaters from local streams Conserving water through watershed management

Rainwater harvesting
A sufficient, clean drinking water supply is essential to life. Millions of people throughout the world still do not have access to this basic necessity. After decades of work by governments and organisations to bring potable water to the poorer people of the world, the situation is still dire. The reasons are many and varied but generally speaking, the poor of the world cannot afford the capital intensive and technically complex traditional water supply systems which are widely promoted by governments and agencies throughout the world. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is an option that has been adopted in many areas of the world where conventional water supply systems have failed to meet peoples needs. It is a technique that has been used since antiquity.

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Need for Water Harvesting

The scarcity of water is a well-known fact. In spite of higher average annual rainfall in India (1,170 mm, 46 inches) as compared to the global average (800 mm, 32 inches) it does not have sufficient water. Most of the rain falling on the surface tends to flow away rapidly, leaving very little for the recharge of groundwater. As a result, most parts of India experience lack of water even for domestic uses. Surface water sources fail to meet the rising demands of water supply in urban areas, groundwater reserves are being tapped and over-exploited resulting into decline in groundwater levels and deterioration of groundwater quality. This precarious situation needs to be rectified by immediately recharging the depleted aquifers. Hence, the need for implementation of measures to ensure that rain falling over a region is tapped as fully as possible through water harvesting, either by recharging it into the groundwater aquifers or storing it for direct use.

Advantages of rainwater harvesting:1. To meet the ever increasing demand for water. Water harvesting to recharge the groundwater enhances the availability of groundwater at specific place and time and thus assures a continuous and reliable access to groundwater. 2. To reduce the runoff which chokes storm drains and to avoid flooding of roads.
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3. To reduce groundwater pollution and to improve the quality of groundwater through dilution when recharged to groundwater thereby providing high quality water, soft and low in minerals. 4. Provides self-sufficiency to your water supply and to supplement domestic water requirement during summer and drought conditions. 5. It reduces the rate of power consumption for pumping of groundwater. For every 1 m rise in water level, there is a saving of 0.4 KWH of electricity. 6. Reduces soil erosion in urban areas 7. The rooftop rainwater harvesting is less expensive, easy to construct, operate and maintain. 8. In saline or coastal areas, rainwater provides good quality water and when recharged to ground water, it reduces salinity and helps in maintaining balance between the fresh-saline water interfaces. 9. In Islands, due to limited extent of fresh water aquifers, rainwater harvesting is the most preferred source of water for domestic use. 10. In desert, where rainfall is low, rainwater harvesting has been providing relief to people.

Components of Rain Harvesting System:A rainwater harvesting system comprises components of various stages - transporting rainwater through pipes or drains, filtration, and storage in tanks for reuse or recharge. The common components of a rainwater harvesting system involved in these stages are illustrated here.

1. CATCHMENTS The catchment of a water harvesting system is the surface which directly receives the rainfall and provides water to the system. It can be a paved area like a terrace or courtyard of a building, or an unpaved area like a lawn or open ground. A roof made of reinforced cement concrete (RCC), galvanised iron or corrugated sheets can also be used for water harvesting.

2. COARSE MESH At the roof to prevent the passage of debris.

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3. GUTTERS Channels all around the edge of a sloping roof to collect and transport rainwater to the storage tank. Gutters can be semi-circular or rectangular and could be made using: Locally available material such as plain galvanised iron sheet (20 to 22 gauge), folded to required shapes. Semi-circular gutters of PVC material can be readily prepared by cutting those pipes into two equal semi-circular channels. Bamboo or betel trunks cut vertically in half. The size of the gutter should be according to the flow during the highest intensity rain. It is advisable to make them 10 to 15 per cent oversize. Gutters need to be supported so they do not sag or fall off when loaded with water. The way in which gutters are fixed depends on the construction of the house; it is possible to fix iron or timber brackets into the walls, but for houses having wider eaves, some method of attachment to the rafters is necessary.

4. CONDUITS Conduits are pipelines or drains that carry rainwater from the catchment or rooftop area to the harvesting system. Conduits can be of any material like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or galvanized iron (GI), materials that are commonly available.

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RAIN WATER RECHARGING

The term rainwater Recharging is being frequently used these days. Ground water resource gets naturally recharged through percolation. But due to massive urbanization/ industrialization throughout the country,increasing construction/ infrastructure development activities, exposed surface for soil has been reduced drastically with resultant reduction in percolation of rainwater, thereby depleting ground water resource. Rainwater harvesting is the process of augmenting the natural filtration of rainwater in to the underground formation by some artificial methods.

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RECHARGING GROUND WATER AQUIFERS

Ground water aquifers can be recharged by various kinds of structures to ensure percolation of rainwater in the ground instead of draining away from the surface. Rainwater may be charged into the groundwater aquifers through any suitable structures like dugwells, borewells, recharge trenches and recharge pits, Percolation Tanks.

Here are a few commonly used recharging methods:

1. Recharging of bore wells

Rainwater collected from rooftop of the building is diverted through drainpipes to settlement or filtration tank. After settlement filtered water is diverted to bore wells to recharge deep aquifers. Abandoned bore wells can also be used for recharge. Optimum capacity of settlement tank/filtration tank can be designed on the basis of area of catchment. While recharging, entry of floating matter and silt should be restricted because it
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may clog the recharge structure. "first one or two shower should be flushed out through rain separator to avoid contamination. This is very important, and all care should be taken to ensure that this has been done."

2. Soakaways / Percolation pit

Percolation pits, one of the easiest and most effective means of harvesting rainwater. Soak away or recharge shafts are provided where upper layer of soil is alluvial or less pervious. These are bored hole of 30 cm dia. up to 10 to 15 m deep, depending on depth of pervious layer and filled with pebbles or brick jelly and river sand, covered with perforated concrete slabs wherever necessary.. Bore should be lined with slotted/perforated PVC/MS pipe to prevent collapse of the vertical sides. At the top of soak away required size sump is constructed to retain runoff before the filters through soak away. Sump should be filled with filter media.

3. Recharge pits
Recharge pits are small pits of any shape rectangular, square or circular, contracted with brick or stone masonry wall with weep hole at regular intervals. top of pit can be covered with perforated covers. Bottom of pit should be filled with filter media.The capacity of the pit can be designed on the basis of catchment area, rainfall intensity and recharge rate of soil. Usually the dimensions of the pit may be of 1 to 2 m width and 2 to 3 m deep depending on the depth of pervious strata. These pits are suitable for recharging of shallow aquifers, and small houses.

4. Recharge Trenches
Recharge trench in provided where upper impervious layer of soil is shallow. It is a continuous trench excavated in the ground and refilled with porous media like pebbles, boulders or broken bricks.it is usually made for harvesting the surface runoff. Bore wells can also be provided inside the trench as recharge shafts to enhance percolation. The length of the trench is decided as per the amount of runoff expected. This method is suitable for small houses, playgrounds, parks and roadside drains. The recharge trench can be of size 0.50 to 1.0 m wide and 1.0 to 1.5 m deep.The recharge trench should be periodically cleaned of accumulated debris to maintain the intake capacity.For recharging through recharge trenches, fewer precautions have

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to be taken to maintain the quality of the rainfall runoff. Runoff from both paved and unpaved catchments can be tapped.

5. Recharging of dug wells

Dug well can be used as recharge structure. Rainwater from the rooftop is diverted to dug wells after passing it through filtration bed. Cleaning and desalting of dug well should be done regularly to enhance the recharge rate. The filtration method suggested for bore well recharging could be used.

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Components of Watershed Development Programme: Soil and Land management Water management Crop management Afforestation Pasture/fodder development Livestock management Rural energy management Other farm and non-farm activities Community development.

Some Success Stories

Watershed Development in RALEGAON SIDDHI Ralegaon Siddhi Project, covering four watersheds in geographical area of about 892 hectares in Maharashtra, having an outlay of Rs.112.75 lakh, of which state government contributed Rs.52.75 lakh, Rs.47 lakh was borrowed from banks, Rs.11 lakh was put together by villagers through shramdan and the remaining Rs. 2 lakh was raised from other sources. Result of the initiative was a series of check dams, cemented bandharas, and nullah bunds built at strategic locations. All these increased the infiltrations of harvested water and recharged ground water. The villagers have stopped grazing their animals on common lands, instead they have switched to other ways. To take care of equitable distribution of water, they have formed associations like pani puravatha mandals.

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Anna Hazare paid a visit to the office of the Director of Agriculture, Mr. Dixit, and told him that he had decided to work for betterment of

his fellow villagers. He expressed his desire to undertake water

conservation work in his village under his guidance. After some days, Mr. Dixit paid a visit to Ralegan Siddhi along with his subordinates and made a geographical survey. He was convinced that the topography of the village was the suitable for

undertaking

watershed

development programme and took a decision to implement it.

On resumption of the watershed development work in the village, Anna Hazare started supervising the work at sites from dawn to dust, without taking a farthing as

remuneration. He considered it as social work; and day by day his experience and knowledge was building up. With his experience and knowledge, harvesting he constructed many water peoples structures with

participation. So far, 48 nulla bunds, 5 cement check dams and 16 Gabion structures have been constructed. The villagers under
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Hazares guidance, also undertook fodder development, continuous contour trenches and loose boulder structures on 500 acres of land.

The watershed development work helped in conserving each drop of rainwater in the village itself and in recharging the

groundwater aquifers. This ultimately raised the water table. In the same village where earlier it was not possible to cultivate more than 300350 acres of land for one crop, now the villagers are harvesting two crops in 1500 acres of land. Due to availability of water, the agricultural production has boosted up. The agricultural development has created lot of employment in the village itself. Not only has the distress migration completely stopped, but now wage labourers have to be hired from other villages in order to get various intercultural operations done in time.

Advantages of WM in RALEGAON SIDDHI:

Successful implementation of voluntary codes e.g. ban on grazing, protection of green cover etc. Successful implementation of development schemes through cooperatives with the support of Government and bank loans. No aid is taken either from national or foreign agencies. Regeneration of watershed resources through people's participation, a living example of watershed development and management.
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Non-degrading and sustainable utilization of natural resources as well as generating alternative sources of income to enhance the economy at family and village levels. Development of agriculture and allied sectors by better farming practices and cropping patterns, judicious use of water by introducing drip irrigation system, yield enhancement etc. as a result the village where nearly three-fourth population was below poverty line, has become self sufficient and is surplus in food grains, today. Strengthening of infrastructure life drinking water, sanitary facilities, biogas, postal, baking, roads, schools, health centres etc. with the participation of the community and by availing Government schemes. Development of managerial skills and capability among people with low level of education, exposure and training. An appreciable change in the attitude of the people with high degree of moral standards and ethics. Overall improvement in the quality of life of the people, and conservation and use of the natural resources in a very sustainable manner.

Watershed Development in HIWARE BAZAAR

Hiware Bazar lies across 977 hectares (ha) at the foothills of the Sahyadris. The village receives only 300-400 millimeters (mm) of rainfall a year. Over time, with steady degradation of their forest land, villagers found themselves with little water available post the monsoon. Without water to irrigate their fields, villagers began to migrate to cities. Those that remained cut down remaining forest land for firewood and sustenance. Preparation and sale of illicit alcohol became a source of income, and alcoholism and crime were rife. Over 90 percent of families lived below the poverty line (BPL). The village lacked medical facilities and due to its bad reputation, teachers were unwilling to teach at the local school. As a result, its literacy rate at 30% was well below the national average (45% all-India rural literacy in 1991). In 1990, Popatrao Pawar, after completing his MCom in Pune, was persuaded to return to his village. He was elected Sarpanch and gave up a potential career in the city. Under his leadership the village drew up a plan based on

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priorities set by villagers themselves with the top priorities on safe drinking water, irrigation water, employment, education and health. The village is now in the top income decile in India, has safe water and sanitation for all, and almost universal literacy (compared to national average rural literacy of 69%). Due to watershed development measures, the groundwater table rose and irrigated area increased. Farmers, previously able to cultivate only in the kharif season and grow bajra in rabi, could now grow in more seasons and switch from the traditional jowar and bajra to cash crops such as onion, potato, tomato and horticulture. As area under cultivation and cropping intensity increased and the cropping pattern changed, incomes rose sharply. With more assured irrigation and therefore lower risk, farmers began to invest more in their land such as by building additional water storage structures. Some families that had migrated returned to the village. Many farmers used their increased agricultural earnings or took loans to buy cattle. The revegetation program, as part of watershed development, has increased availability of good quality grass which has in turn contributed to increased milk yield. Today dairying is an important mainstay of their economy. Prudent water management coupled with crop planning guarantees drinking water year round, and agriculture and dairying are maintained as far as possible, even in low rainfall years.

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CONCLUSION:Watershed management tries to bring about the best possible balance in the environment between natural resources on the one side, and human and other living beings on the other. Watershed management is an emerging concept for the efficient use of rain run-off in the rural areas in India. The approach to watershed management should be participatory in nature, people friendly, location specific, process based and geared to cater to the problems and needs of the rural community. It involves sustainable utilization of available water and has further promoted agriculture and allied operations making it economic viable and enhancing socio economic development by achieving overall development of the villages. With scope for further surface and ground water irrigation sources utilization in India getting narrowed, watershed management particularly in rain fed area becomes highly important. Protecting environment and sustaining living conditions in poor rain fed areas also would depend upon how efficiently the watersheds are managed.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY www.google.com www.wikipedia.com Principles of watershed management by R. Gupta

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