Theme 6-12-Paradigm of participatory watershed management for sustainability - Principles and practices.

Abstract

Watershed management is mainstay of natural resources conservation these days. Participatory watershed management approach is talked about a lot but with variable successes and failures. A new rational definition of watershed management is presented which is obvious as per the term "Watershed Management" and based on well-accepted theories of management. Earlier approach on watershed management was incomplete in itself. In the new paradigm the watershed management comprises conservation of natural resources including animal and human, participatory decision, formation of groups, motivation and working of groups towards common goals for deriving maximum benefits on a sustainable basis with minimum effort. The basis of decision and steps in decision making are presented. Practices for motivation, negotiation and control as applied to watershed management are also presented. The major change is in modus operandi. While discussing role of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) a new term is proposed as Technical Rural Appraisal (TRA) which takes care of participatory management of the steps that have to go after PRA i.e. implementation, controlling and safe maintenance for sustainability. It recommends follow up of set principles of management in all aspects and save the time and energy that have gone unsuccessful in the past in the domain of watershed management, which will bring participatory watershed management from no where to everywhere for maintenance of sustainability.