TN-26 : Watershed Resources development model

Abstract

The present report describes a concept involving management of natural resources of the watershed including land, water, flora and fauna for their sustained yields. The extent of watershed resources and the problems indicating exploitation of the resources have been described. The various problems include soil erosion and land degradation, floods, water quality problems, sedimentation, deforestation, elimination of rare forest and animal species etc. as a result of various developmental activities or unscientific use of various watershed lands. The concept of watershed management for proper utilisation of its resources has been discussed. Often, watershed management involves the development, evaluation and application of land management systems designed to alter water production. The attempts to alter water production may have impacts on production of other resources from upstream lands which are in demand for downstream users. In this reference the concept of integrated resources management has been discussed with an idea of developing a resource development model. The development of the model is based on the concept that all resources uses are interdependent and must therefore be considered together. The relationship among the natural resources has been described. The model is envisaged to evaluate effects of various land management practices on different natural resources including water, land, flora and fauna or natural ecosystem in genera' The impacts of land management practices on eco - system can be understood by a group ofmodels representing stream flow yields, sedimentation, growth and yield of vegetation and wild life, habitat quality etc. The limitations for developing such an overall developurt model have also been discussed along with the data requirement. A brief summary of existing watershed models is also presented.