Watershed programmes are participatory, integrated, single-window and sustainable development programmes. Watershed research started in India in 1954 with the introduction of soil and water conservation research on actual village situations from 1974 onwards, and expanded further to 47 model watersheds by 1982-83. During the 1980s, stakeholders, people’s empowerment and grassroots level institutions also joined in the linkages with national and international agencies.

A watershed is an area of land and water bound by drainage in which the surface runoff collects, flowing out of the area through a single outlet into a river or another body of water. It is also referred to as a "catchment" or "drainage basin."

While the geographical area of the Bundelkhand region in Madhya Pradesh is 39% greater than that in Uttar Pradesh, the population in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh is around 28% less than that in Uttar Pradesh. Rainfall in the Madhya Pradesh portion is 17% more than that in Uttar Pradesh. Rainfall pattern are more variable in Uttar Pradesh as compared to Madhya Pradesh, and the higher percentage of population in Uttar Pradesh is attributed to age-old and higher-level irrigation practices. About 82% of the population is dependent on agriculture in both the states.

Now that we have defined sustainability and management, it is easy to understand the purpose of Sustainable Water Management (SWM), which is simply to manage our water resources while taking into account the needs of present and future users.

Changes in natural watershed resource stocks did not have a significant effect on changes in household welfare, indicating that the indirect effects of collective action on the poorest segments of the community are still limited. This offers evidence of the fact that links between collective action and poverty are not always straightforward, as the distribution of rights and other factors will condition how effectively the poor may benefit from improved natural resource conditions within the watershed. The community diversified from traditional, low-yielding but less risky crops to high-value fruits, vegetables and floriculture for sale in the distant markets. Groundwater discharge was one of the benefits most widely acknowledged by the farmers in different resource regions of the country.

Participatory Process

For sustainable development and maintaining watersheds without any external intervention, active involvement of the people by means of a transparent arrangement must be demonstrated through community participation and empowerment of the villagers.

Participatory Planning

Watershed development is an important and effective medium of data collection and participatory planning. It augments the self esteem of the farmers, and draws out their existing indigenous technical knowledge and inplements solutions through an interactive dialogue.

Before starting a Participatory Rural Appraisal exercise, one must keep in mind the need for

In any watershed programme, it is very important to address gender disparities to raise the level of economic development. Watershed development in India is "gender- blind," as all the benefits accruing are being reaped exclusively by men (Angurana, 2003). It should, however, be understood that gender ‘parity’ will not diminish the gains and denigrate men, but ensure growth and social justice. So we should reformulate our watershed development approach with equity concerns and feminise the activities to bridge the gender gaps.

1. improvement of overall soil and water regime to conserve and enrichment of the flora and fauna of the forests

2. optimisation of the use of natural resources like soil and water to mitigate the adverse affects of droughts and prevent further ecological degradation

3. restoration of soil and moisture and the rise in the general water table to recharge the wells and reservoirs, improve food and fodder yield by enriching the soil and ultimately improve the general economy of the local people.

4. poverty alleviation and checking the migration of people in search of employment by providing wage employment through various project activities

5. development of wastelands by undertaking forestation and watershed development works

6. enhanced participation of local people in the conservation of natural resources q