Political Economy of Watershed Management: Policies, Institutions, Implementation and Livelihoods

Book Details

• Author: V. Ratna Reddy

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2010

• ISBN: 9788131603857

• Cover: Hardcover

• Number of Pages: 338

• Package Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches

About The Book

Watershed Development in Andhra Pradesh: A Historical Perspective by V. Ratna Reddy explores the evolution of watershed development in India, focusing specifically on the state of Andhra Pradesh. What began as a soil and water conservation technology has transformed over decades into a comprehensive rural development program that is now one of the flagship initiatives for rural development in India.

The book looks at the watershed development program from a historical standpoint, addressing crucial aspects such as policy frameworks, implementation challenges, livelihood impacts, sustainability, and the political economy of the program. At the policy level, it critiques existing issues, particularly property rights and their influence on collective action. In terms of implementation, the book emphasizes that despite numerous macro-level changes, the core philosophy of policymakers regarding natural resource management has remained largely unchanged.

The livelihoods analysis in the book reveals that while watershed management is essential for sustaining rural livelihoods, it is not a standalone solution. Watershed development holds great potential for enhancing livelihood security, even in regions where it cannot directly provide large-scale irrigation benefits. Additionally, the book discusses the importance of policy and political environments for institutional innovation and the long-term sustainability of the watershed development program.

This book is an invaluable resource for scholars, researchers, analysts, policymakers, and practitioners involved in rural development, natural resource management, and environmental economics.

About the Author/Editor

V. Ratna Reddy is an economist specializing in environmental economics and natural resource management. He is the Director of the Livelihoods and Natural Resource Management Institute in Hyderabad, India. He has served as a Research Fellow at the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany and as a visiting fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, Sussex, and the School of Geography, University of Leeds, UK. In addition to six books, he has published more than a hundred articles in both international and Indian journals. His current research interests include livelihoods analysis and agricultural policy.

M. Gopinath Reddy, a political scientist and public administration specialist, is the Professor and Head of the Research Unit for Livelihoods and Natural Resources at the Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad. His research focuses on decentralized governance, livelihoods, poverty analysis, and institutional approaches to natural resource management. He has published over 35 articles in national journals and has edited several books.

John Soussan, a geographer by training, is a Professor at York University and a research leader of the water group in the Stockholm Environment Institute. His research interests include resource-livelihood relationships, poverty reduction strategies, and the links between policy processes and local-level development.