Rivers & Watershed Management
Classification of Rivers of India
1. Size of catchment area.
2. Origin
Drainage System - India
1. Himalayan Drainage System
2. Peninsular Drainage System
3. Orientation
Major Water Divide - India
• An area drained by a river and its
tributaries is called a drainage basin.
• A river drains the water collected from a
specific area, which is called its
‘catchment area’.
Indus River System
Indus -
• Kailash Range (Near Bokhar Chu) “Singi Khamban”
(Tibet).
• Flows through Ladakh & Zaskar range.
• Enters Pakistan near Chillar (Dardistan).
1. Jhelum -
• Verinag (Pir Panjal) Joins Chenab near Jhang
(Pakistan).
2. Chenab -
• Near Bara Lacha Pass
• Largest tributary of Indus.
3. Ravi -
• Rohtang Pass (Kullu Hills) Joins Chenab at Sarai
Sindhu (Pakistan).
4. Beas -
• Beas Kund (Rohtag Pass) Joins Satluj near Harike (India).
5. Satluj -
• Rakas Lake (Mansarovar)Pass through Shipli La pass & enters Punjab.
Ganga River System
Brahmaputra River System
River Linking Project
• Idea of interlinking “surplus” Himalayan Rivers with scarce parts of western &
Peninsular India. In 1850’s Sir Arthur Cotton thought a plan of linking rivers
of Peninsula for “Inland navigation & agriculture”.
• After Independence Dr K L Rao presented a rough proposal of Ganga-Cauvery
link.
• Captain Dastur planned about linking Himalayan canal from Ravi to
Brahmaputra River, interconnecting with “garland canals” girdling Peninsular
India.
• Ministry of Water Resources in 1980, formulated “National Perspective Plan
(NPP)” for water resource development envisaging inter-basin transfer of
water.
• In 1982, “National Water Development Agency (NWDA)” was created to
check the feasibility of linkage, & provide solution if any issues in linkages.
• Initially it had two components, “Himalayan & Peninsular” component
(inter-linking), and later third component of “intralinking within state” was
added.
Advantages of Linkages:
1. It would create an additional irrigational potential of approx. 35 million
hectare.
2. It can generate 34,000 MW of hydro-electricity.
3. Navigation
4. Drinking water & industrial water supply.
5. Increase per capita availability of water in water deficit region.
6. Decrease impact of floods in water surplus basins.
Issues Associated with Linkages:
1. Environmental issues- Deforestation, soil erosion, loss of biodiversity.
2. Rehabilitation & re-settlement of displaced people.
3. Resource mobilization.
4. Danger of seismic hazard.
5. Transfer of pollution along with river.
6. No clear definition or criteria of surplus basin.
7. Geopolitical constraints with neighboring countries.
8. Social unrest / psychological damage due to forced settlement of local people.
9. Interstate disputes regarding water sharing.
10. Submergence of fertile agricultural lands.
GROUND WATER
Watershed & Watershed Management
Its functions:
a) Hydrological Functions:
1. Collect rainfall water.
2. Store water in various amount & for different periods.
3. Release water as run off.
b) Ecological Functions:
1. Provide conditions & site for various bio-chemical reactions to take place.
2. Provide habitat for flora & fauna of various kinds.
3. Controls Soil Erosion.
c) Economical Functions:
1. Stored water is used for aquaculture.
2. Water used for irrigation.
d) Social Functions:
1. Drinking Water
A watershed can be symbolized as 1A2B3
where:
• “1” stands for River Resource Region.
• “A” designates the Basin in that river
resource region.
• “2” indicates the Catchment within the
basin.
• “B” indicates Sub catchment.
• “3” stands for the watershed number in the
sequence of stream hierarchy.
• Evolution of Watershed Management - India
Watershed Programmes:
1. DPAP (Drought Prone area Programme)- 1973
Aim of optimum utilization of land, water & livestock resources, restoration of
ecological balance & stabilizing income of people. Its objectives:
(a) Development & management of water resources.
(b) Soil & moisture conservation measure.
(c) Afforestation with special emphasis on social & farm forestry.
(d)Livestock development & dairy development.
(e) Restructuring of cropping pattern & change in agronomic practices.
(f) Development of subsidiary occupation.
2. DDP (Desert Development Programme) - 1977-78
Long term measures for restoration of ecological balance by conserving, developing &
harnessing land, water livestock & human resources.
Seeks to promote economic development of village community & improve economic
conditions of poor & disadvantaged section of society in rural.
Its objectives:
(a) Mitigate adverse effects of decentralization & adverse climatic condition on crop,
human & livestock population & combating desertification.
(b) To restore ecological balance by harnessing, conserving & developing natural
resources.
(c) To implement development work through watershed approach.
3. Integrated Wasteland Development Project (IWDP)
• Basic objective is an integrated wasteland development based on
village/micro watershed plans.
• It aims at rural employment besides enhancing contents of peoples
participation in wasteland development programme at all stages.
• Technical committee under C H Hanumanth Rao, recommended merging
of all three programmes under common guidelines of watershed.
Accordingly a new restructured programme IWMP (Integrated watershed
management programme) was formed in 1995.
• From 2015-16 IWMP is being implemented as watershed component of
PKSY.
“Neeranchal”
• World Bank assisted National watershed management project.
• National level as well as in the nine States of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat,
Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana.
• Objectives:
1. Bring about institutional changes in watershed and rainfed agricultural
management practices in India.
2. Build systems that ensure watershed programmes and rainfed irrigation
management practices are better focussed, and more coordinated, and have
quantifiable results.
3. Devise strategies for the sustainability of improved watershed.
management practices in programme areas, even after the withdrawal of project
support.
4. Through the watershed plus approach, support improved equity,
livelihoods, and incomes through forward linkages, on a platform of inclusiveness
and local participation.
Present water is being managed under two separate heads:
1. Surface water- Central Water Commission (CWC)
(Waterways, irrigation & navigation. Handles irrigation, flood control &
multi-purpose projects)
2. Groundwater- Central Groundwater Board (CGWB)
(Implement concept of aquifer based participatory groundwater
management.)
“Ministry of JAL SHAKTI” was formed in May 2019, by merging two ministries-
1. Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.
2. Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation.
Recent Initiatives
1. Jal Shakti Abhiyan
2. Jal Jeevan Mission
3. Atal Bhujal Yojana
