Abstract
India occupies 2.4% of the world’s geographical area with a large percentage of its land under agriculture. About 228 Million hectares (Mha) of its geographical area (nearly 69%) fall within the dryland (arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid) region. Of the total cultivated area of 142 Mha, major part of agriculture in the country is rainfed, extending to over 97 Mha and constituting nearly 68% of the net cultivated area, therefore making the agricultural sector vulnerable and exposed to the vagaries of weather conditions. Climate change adds to this dimension of stress. A strong need is felt for targeting programmes in these areas that address issues related to employing suitable soil and water conservation measures. In this context this paper seeks to examine the case for watershed development as an adaptive strategy. An examination of the possibility of fortifying the existing programme with a view to adapting to expected changes in climate in future is undertaken. Also, the possibility of watershed development integrating into a suitable mitigation strategy for the country is assessed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
3537 watersheds have been identified in 35 basins, 125 catchments and 500 sub catchments by the All India Soil and Land Use Survey Organisation (Pandey 2002).
References
D’Silva E, Pai S (2003) Social capital and collective action, Development outcomes in forest protection and watershed development. Econ Polit Wkly 38(14):1405–1415
Government of India, Planning Commission (2002) Five-Year Plan 2002–2007. vol 2. Sectoral policies and programmes, New Delhi
Hagen N, Phukan I, Honore G. (2004) Watershed Development: a tool for climate change adaptation. Discussion paper on sustainable natural resources management in India. Indo German bilateral project “Watershed Management”, New Delhi
Honore G (ed) (2002) Principles and practices of integrated watershed management in India. Indo German bilateral project “Watershed Management”, GTZ, New Delhi
IGBP (Indo-German Bilateral Project) (2001) Representative watershed Burhanpura, Rajasthan: Experiences of the Indo-German bilateral project on watershed management, New Delhi
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) (2001) Climate change 2001: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Kerr J, Pangare G, Pangare V L, George P J (2000) EPTD discussion paper No. 68, IFPRI: An evaluation of dryland watershed projects in India, Washington, DC, p 137
MoEF (Ministry of Environment and Forests) (2001) India national action programme to combat desertification, vol. I, Status of desertification. Government of India, New Delhi, 292 pp
MoRD (Ministry of Rural Development) (2002). Guidelines for watershed development (Revised 2001). http://dolr.nic.in/fguidelines.htm, Cited May 1, 2006
Pandey C M (2002). Soil and land resource database for integrated watershed management. In: Honore G (ed) Principles and practices of integrated watershed management in India. German bilateral project “Watershed Management”, GTZ, New Delhi
TERI (2003) Coping with global change: vulnerability and adaptation in Indian agriculture. The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Appendix 1
Appendix 1
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bhandari, P.M., Bhadwal, S. & Kelkar, U. Examining adaptation and mitigation opportunities in the context of the integrated watershed management programme of the Government of India. Mitig Adapt Strat Glob Change 12, 919–933 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-007-9106-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-007-9106-5