9-Role of Hydrology in Watershed Management - Importance of Training.

Abstract

The demand for trained technical manpower in watershed management programmes has tremendously increased over the years. Hydrological inputs form an integral component of all developmental programmes aimed at judicious and efficient management of land and water resources involving design of soil and water conservation structures, water resource development, erosion control in the catchments of River Valley Projects, treatment of flood prone and drought prone areas and command area development etc. Though the allocation of funds for watershed based soil conservation programmes has increased manifold, the programmes invariably suffer for want of adequately trained manpower at supervisory, assistant and specialist levels. This paper briefly reviews and discusses the role of hydrology in watershed management programmes, the need and status of training programmes at various levels in India and future thrust for strengthening the training Institutions to meet the increasing demand of technical and skilled manpower for successful planning and execution of these programmes.