Watershed is a geo-hydrological unit area in which water drains from various slopes to a common point and is considered as an appropriate

physical unit for natural resources evaluation, planning and management Watershed management implies the rational utilization of land and water resources for optimum production with minimum hazard to natural environment (Bhat, 1989). The concept of watershed management is involves accurate and timely monitoring of natural resources using available latest technologies. This approach aim at proper utilization of land and water resources, protecting land against all forms of deterioration, and monitoring and maintaining soil health, on site conservation of water, proper management of local drainage and sediment

reduction and increasing productivity from all land uses through suitable land use planning. Since watershed management involves decisionmaking for efficient utilization of natural resources, a multidisciplinary approach is essential. Watershed management is the processes of formulation and carrying out a course of action involving modification of the natural system of watershed to achieve specified objectives befitting to the local needs. These include optimum production with minimum hazard to natural resources and assured economic benefits. It also helps in restore the fragile geo-ecological balance at micro level through adoption of various conservation measures.

Objectives in watershed development

The main objectives in watershed development is to promote the economic development of the village community, which is directly or indirectly depend on the land and water resources of the watershed through: (a) Optimum utilization of available resources that will mitigate adverse effects of drought and prevents ecological degradation. (b) Bring more marginal and other wastelands under use to enhance the productivity of each parcel of land unit thus

enhancing

employment generation and other economic

development at grass root level. (c) Restoration of degraded eco-systems at the watershed level through sustains community participation.
Watershed management implies the wise use of land, water and vegetation of a watershed to obtain optimum production with minimum hazard to the natural resources. The basic objective of watershed management is to solve the problems of soil and water not in terms of anyone resource but on the basis that all the resources are interdependent and must therefore, be considered together. Watershed management aims to improve the standard of living of common man by increasing his earning capacity through offering all facilities required for optimum production.

Utilizing the land and water resources according to their capabilities to support agriculture and allied activities. Maintaining adequate vegetative cover on the soil for

controlling soil erosion, mainly during rainy season. Conserving maximum possible rainwater through rainwater harvesting by contour farming and water harvesting structures and storing it in ponds for future use. Preventing erosion in gullies and increasing ground water recharge by putting a nullah bunds and gully plugs at suitable intervals.

The watershed management implies, the judicious use of all the resources i.e. land, water, vegetation in an area for providing an answer to alleviate drought, moderate floods, prevent soil erosion, improve water availability and increase food, fodder, fuel and fiber on sustained basis. Watershed to achieve maximum production with minimum

hazard to the natural resources and for the well being of people. The management should be carried out on the watershed basis. The task of watershed management includes the treatment of land by using most suitable biological and engineering measures in such a manner that, the management work must be economic and socially acceptable

Concept of Watershed
1. 2. 3. Watershed is a geo hydrological unit or piece of land that drain at a common point. A watershed is defined as any spatial area from which rain or irrigation water is collected and drained through a common point. The watershed and drainage basin are synonymous term indicating an area surrounded by a ridge line that is drained through a single outlet.

Principles of Watershed Management

The main principles of watershed management based on resource conservation, resource generation and resource utilization are:

Utilizing the land based on its capability Protecting fertile top soil Minimizing silting up of tanks, reservoirs and lower fertile lands Protecting vegetative cover throughout the year In situ conservation of rain water Safe diversion of gullies and construction of check dams for in creasing ground water recharge

In creasing cropping intensity through inter and sequence cropping. Alternate land use systems for efficient use of marginal lands. Water harvesting for supplemental irrigation. - Maximizing farm income through agricultural related activities such as dairy, poultry, sheep, and goat forming. - Improving infrastructural facilities for storage, transport and agricultural marketing, - Improving socio - economic status of farmers Objectives 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.

The basic objective of watershed management is thus is thus 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.

The overall objectives of watershed development programmers may be outlined as: 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.