Vidula Arun Swami et al.

/ International Journal of Engineering Science and Technology (IJEST)

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT – A
MEANS OF SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT - A CASE STUDY
1. Mrs. Vidula Arun Swami (*1),
Associate Professor,
Civil Engineering Department, KIT’s College of Engineering Gokul Shirgaon,
Dist.Kolhapur Maharashtra State, India

2. Dr.Mrs.Sushma Shekhar Kulkarni (*2)

Principal, Rajarambapu Institute of Technology,Sakharale,
Dist.Sangli, Maharashtra State, India

ABSTRACT

In this era of ever increasing water demands and rapidly depleting water resources coupled with
overpopulation, it has become necessary to develop the means to recharge the ground water resources which are
necessary for future requirements. This paper presents one such case study where large amount of rainwater is
directed to recharge ground water resources. Somwar Peth is a small village located at distance of 15 Kms. from
Kolhapur city. Under Social Forestry Department, some measures have been adopted to recharge the ground
water resources, but it has been found that these measures don’t work with full capacity in some cases. Hence it
is planned to take such engineering and biological measures which will direct this extra runoff to ground water
storage. The most significant feature of the work is that if such technologies are developed and adopted at larger
scale in rural areas, it will prevent thousands of villages of the country from water supply by tankers. Moreover
this will also help us to tackle the issue of flood which mainly occurs due to excess runoff.

Keywords: Watershed development programmes, Engineering measures, Biological measures, Watershed

management techniques, ground water storage, Social forestry,

INTRODUCTION:

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT:

One of the definitions of watershed management is “the process of creating and implementing plans,
programs, and projects to sustain and enhance watershed functions that affect the plant, animal, and human
communities within a watershed boundary.”In spite of sufficient rainfall, people have to depend upon tankers
for their domestic water supply in summers in most of the areas. This is mainly due to large runoff which is
responsible for water loss as well as soil loss of the land. A raindrop, when flows along the slope, carries the
loose soil along it. In this case the topmost layer of soil is lost rapidly. Due to high intensity rainfall, it is
estimated that, more than 100 tons of soil is lost .The techniques used to avoid this soil and water loss are one of
the best techniques of watershed development. Watershed Development program is a revolutionary program
aimed at fulfilling the water needs in the water scarce areas. If we take steps to encourage each drop of rainfall
to penetrate in the ground at the point where it strikes earth, it will result in addition of one drop to our useful
water supply and subtraction of one drop from a potential flood. It is the management of each raindrop falling
on the ground. In areas where there is inadequate water supply watershed management offers an ideal solution.
It helps in utilizing the primary source of water and prevents the runoff from going into sewer or storm drains,
thereby reducing the load on treatment plants.
APPLICATION :

The monsoon water and groundwater being supplementary, their management is a continuous process.
The ridge to valley approach for executing soil and water conservation measures could be successfully handled
only through the watershed concept. If the treatment measures are properly identified according to the location

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and situation positive impacts could be generated. The interdependent monsoon and groundwater management
is of double benefit. During draught years one can depend upon the assured availability of ground water. The
excess water available during unexpected downpour in short period can be used to saturate groundwater
reservoir adequately instead of allowing it to be lost by runoff. Thus the conjunctive management would provide
the maximum utilization of surface water as well as groundwater which is the aim of watershed management.
As such, some general guidelines are to be followed for forcing the runoff to meet to groundwater reservoir.

RESEARCH REVIEW :

In India, a lot of work has been done on watershed management through rainwater harvesting.. Different
Organizations such as WOTR (Watershed Organization Trust), CMLR (Centre for Management for Local
Resources), Sehgal Foundation, TCSRD (Tata Chemical Society for Rural Development) are trying to handle
the problem of water scarcity through development of watersheds. Anna Hazare et al. (1980) was the first for
developing the Adarsha Gaon Scheme. This seeks to replicate Ralegan Siddhi Model in 300 villages by
combining the technical staff of Jal Sandharan Program with social organizations.

Throughout the world and particularly in India now Watershed Development Programme has also
evolved as a comprehensive development concept for sustainable and efficient utilization of natural resources
for the benefit of the local community with special attention to the rural poor. The basic objective under the
watershed programme ought to be that the conservation and development measures be conceived as means and
the production systems compatible with the concept of ecological security as ends. “Watershed development is,
thus, holistic development seeking sustainable livelihood security system for all life forms in the area (2001).

Many success stories, for example, are found in hilly, bowl-shaped micro watersheds with very
favorable conditions for water harvesting. In more typical cases, benefits are incremental and gradual. With a
less visible connection between investments made and benefits realized, organizational challenges become more
apparent (Kerr 2002).

The success has made the Government of India to request the leader (Mr. Anna Hazare) to take up the
program in 300 counties (talukas) of Maharastra state.The major elements responsible for the successful people's
participation in watershed management at the Ralegan Siddhi village are: emergence of local leadership,
underpinning of moral sanctions for all, voluntary moral codes e.g. ban on uncontrolled grazing and tree cutting
etc., GO/NGO partnership, involvement of all sections of society, holistic and sustained development over long
time (10-20 years), use of simple, appropriate but efficient technology for watershed management, primacy of
village assembly in decision making. The only weakness sighted with this model of people's participation in
watershed management has been that it is driven by a strong and highly motivated local leader which is the case
of most Gandhian models of development. It is still to be seen if it is replicable when it is tested on the 300
proposed counties.(B.Mishra et al.,1993)

A field study was conducted to determine the effect of various bioengineering measures like
vegetative barriers of citronella, lemon, vetiver and Geranium grass and mechanical soil conservation measures
like contour bund, graded bund and graded bund with vegetative single row live hedge of 0.40 m2 cross section
were evaluated to assess their effectiveness in reducing soil erosion and supplementing residual moisture.
Popular hill millet i.e. ragi (Elucine coracana) grown in this area was selected as representative crop to assess
erosion. A vertical interval of 1.5 m was maintained in case of different soil conservation measures while an
area of 0.1 ha was maintained under each treatment. Average run off and soil loss during the year 2002 to 2004
on weekly as well as on annual basis revealed that run off (mm) was maximum in control plot (206.20) followed
by plots with geranium grass (121.58), citronella grass (102.65), lemon grass (91.80), contour bund (85.80),
graded bund (73.89) and graded bund with vegetative hedge (71.26), while the soil loss (t ha−1) showed a
different trend in all these treatments. Maximum soil loss was observed in control plot (8.63), followed by plots
with graded bund (3.20), citronella grass (3.75), geranium grass (3.54), lemon grass (2.69), contour bund (1.74)
and graded bund with vegetative hedge (1.56). Plots with graded bund with vegetative hedge (T7) were the most
effective in reducing run off as well as preventing soil erosion, hence, it is recommended as the best soil
conservation practice for this region.(Mane, Mahadkar, Thorat 2009)

Dr.M.S.Palanichamy, P.Vincent, Benny Joseph (1997) made Integrated watershed management and waste
land development of an area of 300 acres of dry land near Karisery village in Kamarajar district (Tamilnadu) and
evaluated it for effectiveness of various watershed techniques. V.Jothiprakash, S.Mohan, K.Elango (1997) studied
the influence of percolation ponds as a recharging structure in a small watershed They concluded that the
percolation pond has increased the water availability by about three times as compared to the situation without
pond. In order to assess the quantity of recharge in the percolation pond, a lumped model analysis was carried out.

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Ronald Feldner and Lee Phillips (2003) had done watershed based storm water master planning The objective of
the work was to develop the comprehensive watershed management plans that will address water quality within
the city and downstream of the city’s boundaries. Budumuru Yoganand and Tesfa Gebermedhin (2006) studied
participatory watershed management for sustainable rural livelihood in India This approach was proposed to
address the problem of degradation of natural resources due to exploitation coupled with population pressure in
developing countries.Reena Ahuja, (Delhi 2005) has studied role of women in watershed management for poverty
alleviation. Women in watershed bear responsibilities for arranging water, food, fodder and fuel along with
assisting in agricultural operations and use their talents effectively if they are given training and motivation. The
watershed under study has been developed by women only. Afterwards the women there were called as ‘water
women’.

METHODOLOGY :

The methodology adopted for the present area includes the collection of data
 By observation and discussion with local people
 By personal interviews of the local people.
 Through Questionnaires prepared and getting filled them by people.
 Through Social Mapping of the areas for developing the social relationship with the local people.
 By Technical Survey including contour surveys giving land use details.

TECHNIQUES FOR WATER AND SOIL CONSERVATION:

 Percolation Tanks-small storage structures constructed across natural streams and nallahs to
collect spread and impound surface runoff to facilitate infiltration and percolation of water into
the subsoil.
 Interceptor drains- Usually provided on foothills to intercept the runoff arising from hills. Such
interception enhances the groundwater recharge considerably.
 Lined pond-Lining of a good sealant such as 8:1 soil: cement to the thickness of 5mm, High
Density Polyethylene (HDP) film or clay blanketing to the ponds where seepage is very large.
 Late rainfall harvesting ponds-Precipitation occurring during the end of rainy season is stored
in the pond to irrigate rabbi crop in the field downstream. For ex. Traditional ponds in Goa.
 Village pond or Tank – Ponds are most suited to relatively flat area and impervious subsoil
conditions.
 Small earthen dams-For collecting water across nallah in command areas for promoting waste
land development and enhancing the productivity by conserving moisture and creating local
water resources..
 Soil and water conservation measures and practices-To reduce the kinetic energy of falling
raindrop to reduce surface runoff which increases the opportunity time to water to infiltrate
down and recharge the ground water.

 Check dams-These are weir structures provided in stream in initial stretch to check the gradient and
surface runoff velocity.Along with these measures, some simple techniques are to be used. These have been
proposed to be used in the area selected as a case study.

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 BEST SOLUTIONS: (GENERALLY ADOPTED):

CHECK DAM

CONTOUR TERRACING

PERCOLATION TANK

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AREA SELECTED FOR STUDY:

 Somwar Peth, near Panhala, 15 Kms. from Kolhapur

 Population : 718
 Male : 378
 Female : 340
 Total Livestock : 273

 Total Area : 574.55 Hectares
 Area under Agriculture : 342.25 Hectares
 Area under Forests : 143.19 Hectares
 Area under Pasture : 11.56 Hectares
 Area under Fallow land: 1.57 Hectares
 Roads, Gaothan, Nallah: 7.49 Hectares

LAND USE MAP:

PROBLEMS EXISTING IN THE AREA:

 Poverty
 Low income levels hence low living standards
 Lack of water supplies in summer season
 Agricultural production in only one season

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CONTOUR MAP:

AVERAGE RAINFALL:

2002-03 : 1428 mm.

2003-04 : 1287 mm.
2004-05 : 1885 mm

2005-06 : 2574 mm

2006-07 : 2660mm

2007-08 : 2797 mm

GROUND WATER DEPTH :

2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008

Pre-monsoon 7.5 -8.0 m 7.75 - 15m 8 - 8.25 m

Post-monsoon 3 - 3.5 m 2.5 to 3 m 2.75- 3.25 m

GEOLOGY OF THE AREA:

-Basaltic lava flow which are part of Deccan Trap Basaltic Formation.

-Brownish colour highly porous clayey soil with 10 to 60 cm. thickness.

-Uneven hills with 10 to 50 degree slope.

STRUCTURES CONSTRUCTED IN THE AREA:

o Staggered Contour Trenches

o Loose boulder structures
o Earthen Bunds
o Pond
o Continuous Contour trenches
o Terraced Bunds

WATER AVAILABILITY IN THE AREA:

Catchment area : 574.55 Ha.

Available water due to rainfall : 7861.28 TCM

Run-off : 2279.77 TCM

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PROPOSED WORKS IN THE AREA:

A) ENGINEERING MEASURES:

 Roof top rainwater harvesting: The site includes one residential school – Sanjeevan Public School -
admeasuring 1552 sq.m. terrace area. Hence it is proposed to have roof top rainwater harvesting from
the roofs of all the buildings. The total water collected from roofs =3.12 TCM.
 Contour trenching and tree plantation: It is proposed to excavate trenches along the contours and
planting the trees on their downstream sides.
 Surface Water storage Tanks: Total 3 tanks have been proposed. The details are as below
o Tank- A of size 125mx 75mx4m near plantation area
o Tank B of size 125mx50mx4m near swimming pool
o Tank C of size 75mx40mx4m at left side of entrance
Total water stored = 86 TCM
 Farm Ponds: Three farm ponds have been proposed
o near play ground area,
o behind school mess
o behind hospital
 Bore Well Recharging: The area has two bore wells which would dry in summer seasons. Hence it is
proposed to recharge them by diverting the water from contour ditches nearby them.
 Construction of continuous contour trenches on upstream side of the hill.
 Constructing 60 cm high bund on the downstream edge of pond which is available on downstream of
the residential locality for rainwater conservation.
 Provision of percolation pits with a depth of more than 10 ft. in the roadside drains at suitable distance
from each other.
 Constructing recharging pit around the existing wells in the locality.

B) BIOLOGICAL MEASURES :

 Plantation of ‘Madras Anjan’ grass on hilly slope, ‘Stylo’ grass on downstream of continuous contour
trenches and ‘Khus’ grass on bund constructed on pond.
 Plantation of grass for muroom strata for first 3 to 4 years and CCT there afterwards.
CONCLUSION:
Along with the measures taken by Social Forestry Department, if we will adopt the biological as well
as technical measures for rainwater harvesting, it will certainly add to the ground water storage. In our case
study, water conserved due to rooftop rainwater harvesting and due to construction of storage tanks total 89.12
TCM water will certainly be conserved. Water conserved through contour trenches, bore well recharging,
percolation pits and farm ponds have not been assessed in this study but it is sure that it will certainly add to the
ground water storage. The work will be executed with the help of local people with the financial help of
Government; hence it will be economically viable. As these techniques are eco-friendly, the development due to
this in future will be sustainable.

REFERENCES :

[1] B. Mishra (Associate Secretary, Association of Voluntary Agencies for Rural Development (AVARD), New Delhi, India.] 1993, A
successful case of participatory watershed management at Ralegan Siddhi Village in district Ahmadnagar, Maharastra, India
[2] V.Jothiprakash, S.Mohan, K.Elango: “Influence of percolation ponds-A recharging structure in a small watershed” (1997) Paper in
National Conference on Ground Water Sources at JNTU Hyderabad pp 280-289
[3] M.S.Palanichamy, P.Vincent, Benny Joseph (1997) - “Integrated watershed management and waste land development”, Proceedings of
NCGWS-97 No 1 pp.218-226
[4] Report of the working group on watershed development, rainfed farming and natural resource management for the tenth five year plan
government of india planning commission september, 2001
[5] Dr.Suresh Chand Rai,” Integrated watershed management-A case study in Sikkim, Himalaya” (2003) Proceedings of National
Conference on Development in Water Science and Management NGDWSM at Vellore
[6] Ronald Feldner and Lee Phillips: “Watershed based storm water master planning”, Proceedings of Water Resources Conference,
Georgia, (2003)
[7] Reena Ahuja, Delhi: “Role of women in watershed management for poverty alleviation”, 8th Annual International conference:
Geomatics (2005) in New Delhi.
[8] Budumuru Yoganand and Tesfa Gebermedhin: “Participatory watershed management for sustainable rural livelihood in India”,
Research paper (2006)-2, West Virginia University

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[9] John Kerr, 2007. Watershed Management: Lessons from Common Property Theory p.p. 89-109
[10] Mane .M.S.,Mahadkar U.V.,Thorat T.N. Comparative performance of different soil conservation measures on steep slopes of Konkan
region of western Maharashtra 

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