← All questionsGS1 · 2016 · Geography ·Micro-watersheds in Drought-prone Regions
MAINS 2016
GS1
12.5 marks

In what way do micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought prone and semi-arid regions of India?

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9 min
200 words
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What the examiner wants

Explain how micro-watershed projects conserve water in drought-prone and semi-arid India.

In what wayAnswer exactly what the question asks.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Mechanism: ridge-to-valley treatment, check dams, contour bunds, farm ponds slow runoff and recharge groundwater≈35 words
  2. 2Soil and vegetation: reduced erosion, afforestation, pasture development raise soil moisture≈35 words
  3. 3Community role: user groups, social fencing, crop choice discipline≈35 words
  4. 4Examples: Ralegan Siddhi, Hiware Bazar, Sukhomajri; national programmes≈35 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

Context of semi-arid regionsRidge-to-valley logicSpecific benefitsSuccessful casesLimits and conclusion

Where marks usually go

  • Writing on large dams or interlinking
  • No village examples

Draw this

  • Ridge-to-valley sketch showing contour bunds, check dam and percolation tank

Value addition

  • CommitteeParthasarathy Committee (2006) led to Common Guidelines for Watershed Development (2008) and IWMP (2009).MoRD
  • ExampleHiware Bazar (Ahmednagar) under sarpanch Popatrao Pawar used watershed works and crop rules to turn from drought to surplus.Maharashtra case study
  • SchemeWatershed Development Component of PMKSY (WDC-PMKSY) now runs the watershed programme.Department of Land Resources