Integrated Watershed Management: Field Manual for Equitable, Productive and Sustainable Development

Book Details

• Author: Rajesh Rajora

• Binding: Hardcover

• Number of Pages: 616

• Release Date: 01-01-1998

• ISBN: 9788170334361

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

About the Book

This book addresses the critical issues of environmental degradation, especially in dryland areas, which are attributed to increasing biotic pressure on fragile ecosystems due to population growth, poverty, and overexploitation of natural resources. The author explores the challenges of watershed management, focusing on how the lack of proper management practices and investment has exacerbated land and water resource depletion.

The book serves as a comprehensive guide to watershed management and is intended for planners, field workers, and implementers from both governmental and non-governmental organizations. It is also useful for students in agriculture, forestry, and engineering colleges.

This practical manual addresses all key aspects of watershed management and provides valuable solutions for fieldworkers who often struggle with finding the right answers. The book covers various techniques and strategies related to soil erosion control, water conservation, and community mobilization, with a focus on sustainable practices and participatory approaches.

Contents

1. Philosophy and Concept of Watershed

2. Soils

3. Soil Erosion

4. Land Capability Classification

5. Rainfall and Runoff

6. Topographic Surveying

7. Participatory Rural Appraisal in Watershed Programme

8. Community Mobilisation and Participatory Institution-Building

9. Use of Remote Sensing Thematic Maps

10. Indigenous Soil and Water Conservation Practices and Agronomic Measures

11. Erosion Control Measures on Agricultural Land

12. Mechanical Erosion Control Measures for Non-Agricultural Land

13. Water Conservation and Harvesting

14. Groundwater Management in Watershed

15. Nursery Raising and Community Plantation

16. Grassland Management

17. Agro-Forestry Systems

18. Horticulture Development

19. Joint Forestry Management in Watershed

20. Common Property Resource Management in Watershed Areas

21. Empowerment of Women and Other Gender Issues

22. Equity Issues in Watershed Management

23. Financial Management and Accounting Procedures

24. Monitoring and Evaluation in Watersheds

About the Author

Dr. Rajesh Rajora, IAS, has extensive experience in implementing watershed programmes. He has served in various capacities such as Additional Collector, Executive Director of the District Rural Development Agency, and Project Director of the Rajiv Gandhi Mission on Watershed Development. Dr. Rajora developed the ‘Jhabua model’ of Integrated Watershed Management, which views the watershed as a unit of development, not just a geo-hydrological unit.

He has worked on projects funded by FAO, ILO, WFP, DANIDA, and ODA, and has been posted in District Collectors roles in Dhar, Balaghat, Ujjain, and Indore. Currently, Dr. Rajora serves as Principal Secretary for the Department of Industrial Policy & Investment Promotion and Department of Public Relations, Government of Madhya Pradesh. Previously, he also served as Principal Secretary for the Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, and Food Processing in the state.