Land resource is the mother of all natural resources, which provides life support systems to all living being. Land and water support plant and animal kingdoms. Conservation of these basic resources is the key to food security, fuel and fodder supply, healthy environment and social and economic stability. Productivity of land is declining gradually due to physical, chemical and biological processes of degradation. Nearly 50 % of our lands are waste or degraded and nearly 22% of our people are below poverty line (At the time the project was implemented, the BPL percentage was over 40%).
Erosion is another serious problem causes soil loss and reduces fertility, area of cultivable land and food grain production. Over16.4 t ha of topsoil alone is lost every year through erosion resulting a loss of around 24 kg ha of plant nutrients. The rainfall exhibits wide variations in the time and space. The undependable and erratic rainfall introduces an element of risk, uncertainty and instability in crop production.
How to meet the demands of food, fodder, fuel, fibre, timber and water of the people on sustained basis is the greatest challenge. It is now firmly believed that conservation of soil and water, development of degraded lands and rational utilization of available resources are important inputs for meeting the needs and eradication of poverty.Therefore, resource management by the people for the people with scientific approaches is the answer for sustainable management of watershed area.
In the Chakra Nala Watershed Project undertaken by Deendayal Research Institute, in Majhgawan Block of Satna District, Madhya Pradesh, a total of 12,536 hectares were treated covering 18 villages and 17 micro watershed areas.
Identification Of Problems:-
The major problems faced by people of watershed area are –
- Low crop productivity
- Lack of irrigation facilities and decreasing ground water table.
- Unavailability of drinking water during summer.
- Degraded forest and declining vegetal cover.
- High rate of soil erosion, poor soil fertility and undulated topography.
- Low milk production, poor health and inferior breeds of animals.
- Poor marketing facilities and low purchasing power of the villagers
To overcome all the above problems several activities of in-situ soil and moisture conservation, water harvesting, plantation of forest and fruit trees, pasture development, development of SHGs were performed. During the course of time several of the following work was undertaken.
Loose boulder check – 6178
Contour Trenches – 84595
Cattle Proof Wall (Stone dike) – 14983 cum
Earthen Nala Bunds – 187
Ponds – 34
Mini Percolation tanks – 33
Dahari – 24
Contour Bunding – 53 Ha
Gahivan – 04
Plants Nursery – 1,28,000 Plants
Afforestation – 84 Ha
Pasture Development – 24 Ha
Protected Pasture – 150 Ha
Self Help Groups (SHGs): –
With an objective to improve the socio-economic status of the watershed people in groups and co-operative manner. The persons of similar interest living below poverty line have formed these groups. These groups are carrying out the activities like goat rearing, nursery raising, dona-pattal making, poultry keeping, fish culture, bamboo goods making, carpentry, etc. Each group has consisted of at least 3 persons. Additional income of these groups increased considerably by Rs. 1000-2500 per month through these activities. A total 67 groups were formed and the total beneficiaries were 248.
Increase in Productivity Of Crops:-
With the help of Watershed Management the average productivity of Crops has been increased by 37.70 %.
Impact Of Watershed Management On Average Family Income:-
Due to Watershed Management the Average Income of a family increased by Rs 12,445/ year.
Change In Area Under Irrigation:-
The Irrigation Area increased from 66 to 1503 Hectares.
The MP State Govt had sanctioned a sum of Rs 3000/Ha under Watershed Management Programme, while “Deendayal Research Institute” has done the same in expenditure of Rs 2486/Ha and saved Rs 514/Ha.
This was possible due to the transparent and efficient working of the Institute.
