Watershed Development Program
An alarming 75% of available potable water is utilized for irrigation. While an important practice, this creates a scarcity of drinking water across small and marginal farming households in the country. To add to their woes, continually drawing groundwater for irrigation has led to a steady decline in soil fertility.
In an effort to cope with this water shortage, and conserve and sustain natural resources, watersheds are being built in increasing numbers. However, this needs to be supported by emerging technological innovations and other best practices for ensuring successful watershed management. L&T Technology Services’ (LTTS’) Watershed Development Projects (WDPs) aims to conserve, regenerate, and optimally utilize watershed resources.
LTTS, in collaboration with National Agro Foundation, a public charitable trust, has shortlisted Kolwadi, Katavadi, Mangdari, and Nigde in Pune District to execute this project. The selection was done using remote sensing maps, and geophysical data. The program was implemented based on a few pre-defined criteria—the primary one being ensuring willful community participation. The development team scheduled a field trip to understand the nature of the terrain, and cover other relevant parameters required for the project.
The main objective of this program is to maximize conservation efficiency through watershed activities by 2019. In the process, two important institutions has come into being: Mahila Pani Samiti (MPS) and Village Watershed Committee (VWC). Such an endeavor promises access to safe, drinking water to over 2000 people, and increase the cultivation area by 20% to 25% as well as agriculture crop yield by 25 to 30% by 2019. LTTS has also ensured the beneficiaries of Mangdari village receive watershed training for better cooperation during the ongoing project.
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