Watershed Management- An Effective Technique For Saving The Water Resources
As a society, we have come a long way. A lot has been achieved, so many new inventions, technical advancements, and whatnot. But this development had come at a cost. The developmental activities have resulted in the scarcity and degradation of natural resources. Air pollution, water pollution, global warming, and climate change are some of the many adverse problems haunting the world right now. Water is unevenly distributed throughout the world and the recent explosion of population in India has made it highly scarce in several states across the country. It's high time that we start using this elixir of life more judiciously and look for ways to conserve water. Many efforts have been made and new techniques are being developed and adopted around the world to ensure water management. One such technique to conserve water resources and stop their contamination is watershed management.
WATERSHED MANAGEMENT What is a watershed? A Watershed is that area of the land that sheds water into a receiving water body such as a river or a lake. A watershed collects the rainfall and snow that runs downhill and then deposits them into the receiving water body. What is watershed management? Watershed management includes land and water management practices that are used to protect and improve the quality of water and other natural resources around the watershed. Under watershed management, the use of water and land resources are managed comprehensively. Watershed management planning includes the building of an overall plan for the protection and improvement of the water and land resources around the watershed.
Benefits of watershed management 1. Very often, various pollutants get deposited into the receiving waterbody through watersheds. Watershed management helps control water pollution by identifying various pollutants present in the watershed and the way they are transported to the watershed. Various techniques are then used to eliminate the pollutants. 2. Activities occurring around the watershed contribute to the degradation of the watershed and natural water resources around it. Watershed management identifies these activities and recommendations are made to address these activities and reduce their impact on the watershed. 3. All the parties that are associated with watersheds need to be involved in the management system for watersheds so that the natural resources of that area can be successfully managed. For the watershed management activities to be successful, there needs to be an effective partnership between all the parties involved as the action of one party around the watershed will affect the other one. 4. Watershed management also promotes the economic growth of that particular area. A healthy watershed means a healthy city. Watershed management activities reduce the degradation of natural resources around the watershed area which then prevents climate change, flooding impacts, and droughts. A well-managed watershed gives a financial boost to the mining, agriculture, and tourism industry around the area.
5. Water infrastructure for dams around watershed areas ensures water supply and energy production for industries, agricultural activities, and households around the area. A well-managed watershed guarantees the health and safety of people living in that area. It might be a complicated process but is essential to maintain the quality of life. In India, many organizations, including the government, are adopting NGO Work For Watershed Management In India for managing and saving the natural resources around watershed areas. One organization that is doing remarkable work in this area is Watershed Organization Trust (WOTR).
Watershed Organization Trust WOTR is a globally recognized organization that is working to make the lives of millions of poor villagers across India better. The organization uses participatory watershed development and various other activities to conserve the natural resources in these areas and ensure better living conditions for people living in these areas. The organization's mandate is to reduce poverty and contribute to the holistic development of poverty-stricken communities. So far, the organization has affected the lives of millions of people in India. WOTR has successfully used watershed management in Maharashtra and several other states in India and has been able to achieve many of its goals. The organization also used several other means for the restoration of natural resources and improving the quality of life in these areas.